Top 50 Philadelphia Eagles Of All Time

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most storied franchises in NFL History.

From the Baker Bowl to Lincoln Financial Field, wherever the Eagles have played, it's always been a display of greatness.

Their fan base has supported the team with an unwavering loyalty and has been described as bringing "unmatched fervor" to the stands.

As the sixth oldest NFL franchise, they've maintained a tradition of excellence for 78 years.

A combined 17 Hall of Fame players, coaches, and owners have once called Philadelphia home. 

Those elite talents have claimed siege to three NFL Championship victories.

Thousands of athletes have worn the midnight green and white, but there are a large handful of birds that have distanced themselves from the flock.

Here are the top 50 greatest Philadelphia Eagles players of all time:

#50 Vince Papale (WR, 1976-1978)

Fun Fact: At 30, Papale was the oldest rookie non-kicker in NFL history without the benefit of playing college football.

Why He's On The List: Vince Papale was voted onto the Eagles 75th Anniversary team as the franchise's greatest special teams player in team history.  He was voted a team captain by his teammates in 1978.

#49 Norman Snead (QB, 1964-1970)

Fun Fact: Eagles received Snead in a trade which involved Sonny Jurgensen.

Why He's On The List: Norman Snead is fourth in passing yards and touchdowns in Eagles history.  The four time Pro-Bowler led the Eagles into battle for seven straight years.

#48 Byron Evans (LB, 1987-1994)

Fun Fact: Evans was born in Phoenix, attended the University of Arizona, and now currently lives in Phoenix.

Why He's On The List: Byron Evans started middle linebacker in the Eagles vaunted gang green defense.  He is third in Eagles history in tackles.

#47 Herman Edwards (CB, 1977-1985)

Fun Fact: "Victory formation" originated as a result of Edwards returning a fumble for a touchdown in the closing seconds to win the game when the opposing team just had to run out the clock.

Why He's On The List: Herman Edwards has 33 interceptions as an Eagle which is one behind the all-time leader.  He never missed a game in his nine year career.

#46 Duce Staley (HB, 1997-2003)

Fun Fact: Staley was current head coach Andy Reid's first starting running back.

Why He's On The List: Duce Staley is fourth in rushing yards in Eagles history.  He meant a lot to the organization starting for five years, resigning to retire as an Eagle, and is now a coaching intern with the team.

#45 Trent Cole (DE, 2005-Present)

Fun Fact: Cole's nickname is "The Hunter" after his off season hobby of hunting.

Why He's On The List: Trent Cole is fourth on the Eagles all-time sack list and he is only 28 years old.  The perennial Pro-Bowler is arguably the best pass rusher in the league today.

#44 Keith Byars (FB, 1986-1992)

Fun Fact: In 1990, Byars threw four passes for four touchdowns.

Why He's On The List: Keith Byars was voted onto the Eagles 75th Anniversary team at fullback.  He was a great all-around tight end who excelled with the ball in his hands on the ground, through the air, and he could block with the best of them.

#43 Hugh Douglas (DE, 1998-2002)

Fun Fact: After being cut in 2005, Douglas was rehired by the Eagles to be their "Good-Will Ambassador".

Why He's On The List: Hugh Douglas is third on the Eagles all-time sack list.  He made the Pro-Bowl three straight years in his first stint with the team.

#42 Jeremiah Trotter (LB, 1998-2001, 2004-2006, 2009)

Fun Fact: Trotter was nicknamed the "ax man" after his celebration dance.

Why He's On The List: Jeremiah Trotter's return to Philadelphia in 2004 morphed an abysmal run defense into a force.  He was the Eagles best run stopper the past decade.

#41 William Thomas (LB, 1991-1999)

Fun Fact: Thomas was an assistant coach at La Salle University in 2007.

Why He's On The List: William Thomas is top ten in Eagles history in tackles and sacks.  He is part of the 20/20 club with 37 sacks and 27 interceptions in his career.

#40 Maxie Baughan (LB, 1960-1965)

Fun Fact: Baugham came out of retirement to play one more season in 1974 while he was still on the Washington Redskins coaching staff.

Why He's On The List: Maxie Baughan made the Pro Bowl five out of six years as an Eagle including his rookie year on the team's 1960 championship squad.  He is a borderline Hall of Famer and very well could make the club in the future.

#39 David Akers (K, 1999-Present)

Fun Fact: Akers played on the NFL Europe team the Berlin Thunder before making a name for himself as an Eagle.

Why He's On The List: David Akers is the Eagles all-time scoring leader. He set the record for most points in a single decade and most consecutive post season field goals.

#38 Stan Walters (OT, 1975-1983)

Fun Fact: Walters worked as the Eagles radio commentator for 14 years.

Why He's On The List: Stan Walters started 122 straight games in an Eagles uniform.  The Eagles Honor Roll inductee blocked on the offensive line that kept Ron Jaworski and Wilbert Montgomery upright.

#37 Jerry Sisemore (OT/G, 1973-1984)

Fun Fact: Sisemore started on a Texas Longhorn team that boasted a 31 game winning streak.

Why He's On The List: Jerry Sisemore mauled opposing defenders using size and strength that was ahead of his time.  The Eagles Honor Roll inductee protected the likes of Ron Jaworski and Wilbert Montgomery during his career.

#36 Ollie Matson (HB, 1964-1966)

Fun Fact: Matson boasts an Olympic bronze medal in the 400-meter run and silver in the 4x400 meter relay.

Why He's On The List: Ollie Matson is one of the true NFL athletes with "world-class" speed.  He brought unmatched explosiveness to the running back position and is one of the best return specialists in league history.

#35 Jim Ringo (C, 1964-1967)

Fun Fact: Ringo weighted 211 pounds when drafted in 1953.

Why He's On The List: The ultra-athletic Jim Ringo used his unique abilities to dominate opposing defenders during his long career.  In his four years with the Eagles he made three Pro Bowls.

#34 Mike Quick (WR, 1982-1990)

Fun Fact: Quick is tied with a number of receivers for the longest reception ever of 99 yards.

Why He's On The List: Mike Quick was Ron Jaworski and Randall Cunningham's favorite target throughout his tenure with the Eagles.  He is near the top of every single Eagles all-time receiving stat.

#33 Bill Bradley (S, 1969-1976)

Fun Fact: Bradley is currently the Florida Tuskers secondary coach.

Why He's On The List: Bill Bradley did it all for the Eagles starting as free safety, kick returner, and punter.  He is tied for the most interceptions in Eagles history with 34.

#32 Bill Bergey (LB, 1974-1980)

Fun Fact: At that time, Bergey was the highest paid defensive player in the league.

Why He's On The List: The three-time Eagles team MVP was just always around the football.  He set an NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker and he recorded 233 tackles in one season.

#31 Bill Hewitt (DE/TE, 1937-1939, 1943)

Fun Fact: Hewitt refused to wear a helmet.

Why He's On The List: Bill Hewitt is considered by many to be the greatest two-way player in NFL history.  He unfortunately played in an era where they didn't record defensive statistics while at the same time the passing game was practically non-existent.

#30 Wade Key (OG, 1970-1979)

Fun Fact: Key played college football at Southwest Texas State University

Why He's On The List: Wade Key was chosen as a starting guard on the Eagles 75th Anniversary team.  He was an outstanding guard under head coach Dick Vermeil.

#29 Charlie Johnson (DT, 1977-1981)

Fun Fact: Johnson played college football at the University of Colorado.

Why He's On The List: Charlie Johnson was an immovable run-stopping specialist for the Eagles for five years.  He was a three time Pro Bowler and was elected to the Eagles 75th Anniversary team.

#28 Sonny Jurgensen (QB, 1957-1963)

Fun Fact: At Duke, Jurgensen played briefly on the baseball team and turned down an invitation to play basketball.

Why He's On The List: Vince Lombardi called him the greatest quarterback he had ever seen.  Sonny Jurgensen only started one full season in Philadelphia, but he is still their 6th all-time leading passer and has the highest touchdown per attempt percentage in team history.

#27 Norm Van Brocklin (QB, 1958-1960)

Fun Fact: Van Brocklin served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945.

Why He's On The List: Norm Van Brocklin carried the Eagles to their third NFL title win.  He was a fiery leader regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time.

#26 Tra Thomas (OT, 1998-2008)

Fun Fact: Thomas started at tackle opposite Jon Runyan; they formed maybe the "largest" tackle duo of all-time each 6'7".

Why He's On The List: Tra Thomas protected Donovan McNabb's blindside for a decade.  He was effective enough to make the Eagles 75th Anniversary team and three Pro-Bowls.

#25 Troy Vincent (CB, 1996-2003)

Fun Fact: Sports Illustrated voted Vincent the best player in the NFL ever to wear the jersey number "23".

Why He's On The List: Troy Vincent is one of the greatest leaders in the league history, if not the very greatest.  He was the president of the NFLPA, Sporting News's #1 Good Guy in 2003, a team captain his last 13 seasons of his 15 year career, and countless other positions and honors.

#24 Seth Joyner (LB, 1986-1993)

Fun Fact: Joyner played with a 102 degree fever and recorded eight tackles, two forced and recovered fumbles, and two sacks in one game.

Why He's On The List: Joyner has the most tackles for a linebacker in Eagles history.  He is one of only 11 players in NFL history to record 20 interceptions and 20 sacks in his career.

#23 Jon Runyan (OT, 2000-2008)

Fun Fact: Getting blocked on a screen by Runyan was voted one of the scariest things in the NFL.

Why He's On The List: The consistently productive Jon Runyan started an impressive 190 straight regular season games.  The 6'7", 330 pound beast led the way for running backs Duce Staley and Brian Westbrook.

#22 Clyde Simmons (DE, 1986-1993)

Fun Fact: Simmons was massive for a sack artist weighing a whopping 292 pounds.

Why He's On The List: Clyde Simmons is the Eagles best pass rusher in franchise history not named Reggie White.  He is one of only 24 players to record 100 or more career sacks.

#21 Jerome Brown (DT, 1987-1991)

Fun Fact: Brown is known as one of the most feared players in college football history.

Why He's On The List: Even though his career was cut short, Jerome Brown's resume was still impressive enough to make the Eagles 75th anniversary team.

#20 Andre Waters (S, 1984-1993)

Fun Fact: After a hit on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jim Everett, the "Andre Waters Rule" was put into effect stating that a defensive player cannot hit a quarterback below the waist while in the pocket.

Why He's On The List: Andre Waters is the Eagles all-time leader in tackles.  He was the fire in a ferocious Eagles defense throughout his time as a starter.

#19 Eric Allen (CB, 1988-1994)

Fun Fact: Allen is the only player in NFL history to record three or more pick-six's in two different seasons.

Why He's On The List: Eric Allen is tied with two others as the Eagles all-time interception leaders.  He was a play maker with the ball in his hands as he returned five of those for touchdowns.

#18 Timmy Brown (HB, 1960-1967)

Fun Fact: Brown is one of seven NFL players, and the only Eagle, to ever return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game.

Why He's On The List: Timmy Brown is the Eagles leader in all-purpose yards by over 3000 yards.  The definition of explosive, he is the best return ace in Eagles history.

#17 Randall Cunningham (QB, 1985-1995)

Fun Fact: Cunningham is the NFL's all time leading rusher at the quarterback position.

Why He's On The List: One of the most exciting players in league history, Randall Cunningham was often called "The Ultimate Weapon".  He is not only third in Eagles history in passing yards, but he is also fifth in rushing yards.

#16 Ron Jaworski (QB, 1977-1986)

Fun Fact: "Jaws" turned down an offer to play for the St. Louis Cardinals out of high school.

Why He's On The List: Ron Jaworski is the best passer in Philadelphia Eagles history not named Donovan McNabb.  He led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1980.

#15 Wilbert Montgomery (HB, 1977-1984)

Fun Fact: Montgomery is currently the Baltimore Ravens running back coach.

Why He's On The List: Wilbert Montgomery is the Eagles all-time leading rusher.  Not many running backs could match his combination of speed and toughness.

#14 Bob Brown (OT, 1964-1968)

Fun Fact: Brown was nicknamed "The Boomer".

Why He's On The List: Weighing 280, absolutely massive for his era, Bob Brown dominated opposing defensive lineman.  The Hall of Famer was elected to the Pro-Bowl three times during his five year career with the Eagles.

#13 Harold Carmichael (WR, 1971-1983)

Fun Fact: Carmichael is the tallest wide receiver in NFL history.

Why He's On The List: Harold Carmichael is the Eagles all-time leader in receiving yards, catches, and touchdowns.  He is one of the most physically dominating receivers that ever played the game.

#12 Alex Wojciechowicz (LB/C, 1946-1950)

Fun Fact: Wojciechowicz played on the offensive line next to Vince Lombardi at Fordham.

Why He's On The List: Alex Wojciechozicz was inducted into the Pro and College Football Hall of Fame after unrivaled play on both sides of the ball.  He was a key leader on each of the first two Eagles Championship teams.

#11 Pete Pihos (TE, 1947-1955)

Fun Fact: Pihos was an All-American defensive end in college.

Why He's On The List: Pete Pihos was a major part of two out of three Eagles championship squads.  He was voted on the Eagles 75th Anniversary team as the franchise's greatest tight end ever.  

#10 Tommy McDonald (WR, 1957-1963)

Fun Fact: McDonald was the last non-kicker in NFL history to not wear a face mask.

Why He's On The List: Standing just 5'9" and 178 pounds, Tommy McDonald was one of the toughest football players pound for pound the game has ever seen.  He showed off that fearlessness and elite catching ability as an Eagle retiring with the second most receiving touchdowns during that time.

#9 Tom Brookshier (DB, 1953, 1956-1961)

Fun Fact: Brookshier was all-state in football, basketball, and baseball in high school.

Why He's On The List: Tom Brookshier is one of only seven Eagles to have their jersey numbers retired.  He was a starting member of the Eagles defense during their 1960 championship run.

#8 Pete Retzlaff (HB/WR/TE, 1956-1966)

Fun Fact: Retzlaff didn't make the Detroit Lions so he went to the army for two years before returning to football.

Why He's On The List: Pete Retzlaff was a consistent possession receiver and the go-to-guy for Norm Van Brocklin, Sonny Jurgensen, and Norman Snead.  The Eagles Honor Roll performer started on the team's 1960 championship team.

#7 Brian Westbrook (HB, 2002-2009)

Fun Fact: Westbrook's 9,521 all-purpose yards are an NCAA record. 

Why He's On The List: At only 5'8" Brian Westbrook is one of the most underrated players in NFL history.  He is the Eagles all-time leader in yards from scrimmage.

#6 Brian Dawkins (FS, 1996-2008)

Fun Fact: Dawkins never uses a curse word, and instead says the phrase "doggone it".

Why He's On The List: Brian Dawkins was the heart and soul of a relentless Eagles defense for thirteen years.  He hit like a missile and forced an Eagle record of 32 forced fumbles.

#5 Al Wistert (OT, 1943-1951)

Fun Fact: Wistert was named to the NFL's first Pro Bowl.

Why He's On The List: Besides his rookie season, Al Wistert was an NFL All-Pro every single year of his spectacular career.  He was a team captain on the Eagles 1948 and 1949 championship squads.

#4 Donovan McNabb (QB, 1999-2009)

Fun Fact: McNabb is the least intercepted quarterback per pass attempt in NFL History.

Why He's On The List: Donovan McNabb was the face the Philadelphia Eagles for 11 years.  He is the franchise's all-time leading passer and led the team to four straight NFC Championship games.

#3 Reggie White (DE, 1985-1992)

Fun Fact: White was elected to the Pro-Bowl every single season in his NFL career minus only his final year in Carolina.

Why He's On The List: Reggie White is widely known as the greatest defensive end in NFL history.  He is the Eagles all-time sack leader by 48 take downs.

#2 Steve Van Buren (HB, 1944-1951)

Fun Fact: Van Buren passed for over 1000 yards in a season twice.

Why He's On The List: Steve Van Buren still holds the Eagles record for rushing touchdowns almost 60 years later.  He was one of the greatest runners in NFL history and established that reputation wearing only green and white.

#1 Chuck Bednarik (LB/C, 1949-1962)

Fun Fact: College football's defensive player of the year award is named the "Chuck Bednarik Award".

Why He's On The List: One of the greatest defenders of all-time tops the list of greatest Eagles. Chuck Bednarik was a bona fide iron man and one of the fiercest hitters in league history.