Bill Bergey
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Bill Bergey, (born 9 February 1945), is an American football player.
Bill Bergey was born in South Dayton, New York in 1945. Bergey graduated from Arkansas State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education.
While at Arkansas State he was an All-American with the Arkansas State Indians and has been voted as the Top Player in Arkansas State history by the fans. While at ASU Bergey set records for best tackling average in a season, most fumble recoveries in a season, most tackles in a game, most tackles in a season, and most career tackles. In 1968 Bergey averaged 19.6 tackles per game. Bergey played in three post-season all-star games during his ASU career and was selected to the All-Southland Conference team three times and was selected to the Southland Conference All-First Decade Team. Bergey's number 66 was retired by ASU.
Bergey was drafted by the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals in the second round and became the NFL Rookie of the Year. Bergey started for the Bengals for 5 years. In 1974 Bergey was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for two first-round and one second-round draft picks. Bergey played a key role in the Eagle's rise culminating in the trip to Super Bowl XV.
With the Eagles, Bergey was a four time All-Pro and set the NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker and became the highest paid defensive player in the league. He earned Eagle's MVP status three times. Bergey recorded 233 tackles in a single season with the Eagles. Bergey retired from professional football in 1980. He was inducted into the Eagles Roll of Honor in 1988.
His son, Jake Bergey, is a midfielder for the Philadelphia Wings professional lacrosse team.
Adapted from the article Bill Bergey (http://www.wikinfo.org/wiki.phtml?title=Bill_Bergey), from Wikinfo, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.