Philadelphia Eagles Best Player Of All Time By Jersey Number
The Philadelphia Eagles have been in existence since 1933 and we have seen some high’s and lows… Mostly lows… Let’s not worry about that though. 2017 was the greatest year ever and nobody can take that from us! 2022 was an amazing year as well but it didn’t end up with the Lombardi Trophy. Darn you Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes! Let’s hope the 2023 season ends differently and the boys are holding the Lombardi Trophy and a nice big parade going down Broad Stree.
I wanted to do a little experiment and see if I could come up the best players in Eagles history by jersey number. I was born in 1985 so I might not know a lot about guys in the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s but bear with me. I do have to shout out Eagles.1rmg.com because they did most of the leg work. They have every Eagle ever and their jersey number.
What would you change in this list?
#3 - Mark Sanchez
Before you blast this selection, there are not many #3’s in franchise history and there are just about none who made an impact. At least Sanchez won a few games for the Birds. He will also be remembered for the “butt fumble” but that was not with the Eagles. A few honorable mentions: Steven Nelson. He played one year with the Birds and was lack-luster. Mike Kafka was a backup QB who was not really good.
#4 - Jake Elliott
Jake Elliott has the franchise record for longest field goal and he has been the Birds kicker for the past 4 seasons. He also was the kicker during the Super Bowl win. An honorable mention choice would be Kevin Kolb who never panned out after getting injured. Kolb was supposed to be the heir apparent to McNabb but he ended up falling flat.
#5 - Donovan McNabb
Say what you want about #5… He led the Eagles to 5 NFC Championships winning 1 but he holds basically every Eagles QB record. He took a really bad Eagles franchise and turned it around along with new head coach Andy Reid and Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson. #5 is the best Eagles QB ever in my opinion even though he annoyed me most of the time.
#9 - Sonny Jurgensen/Nick Foles
This one was super tough so I had to pick 2. I was not alive when Sonny was doing his thing. He was the backup QB on the team that brought a championship to Philly in 1960 beating Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers, and he led the league in passing for multiple seasons. He left the Eagles to play for the Redskins but he was dominant with the Birds.
I could not just stop there… Nick Foles has to be on the list. He went head-to-head with Tom Brady and beat him bringing Philly our first Super Bowl. He also threw 7 td’s in one game. Sonny Jurgensen had the better career by far but my greatest sports moment in my life involved Nick Foles so I will put them both for #9.
#11 - Norm Van Brocklin
I’m not sure why his jersey isn’t retired but oh well. Norm Van Brocklin led the Eagles to a championship in 1960 over Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers. Carson Wentz had a shot at being the greatest #11 but we all know how that ended. I still have a soft spot for Carson because of his lights out play in 2017 and helping the Birds win a Super Bowl. Also, newly acquired received AJ Brown dons the #11. So far, so good. Keep it going AJ.
#12 - Randall Cunningham
This required no research. “The Ultimate Weapon” a.k.a. “Starship 12” a.k.a. “Rocketman” is one of the most beloved Eagles of all time and one of the greatest athletes the NFL has ever seen. Before McNabb, Michael Vick, Steve Young, Cam Newton, & Lamar Jackson… There was Randall! I still believe if he didn’t tear his ACL in 91, the Eagles win the Super Bowl.
#14 - A.J. Feeley
You gotta give it up to AJ for what he did in 2002 as the 3rd string QB. The Eagles had Super Bowl aspirations in 2002 then McNabb got hurt. Then, backup qb Koy Detmer got hurt against the 49ers. The Eagles were 8-3 and now the season relied on 3rd string QB AJ Feeley. He won the last 4 games of the season and the Birds were the #1 seed heading into the playoffs. Thank you AJ!
#19 - Tom Dempsey
Not many come to mind when you think of the #19 on the Eagles. Tom Dempsey kicked for the birds in the 70’s and was pretty reliable. He is more known for being a New Orleans Saint but we will claim him for this poll. Golden Tate had a great career but not with the Eagles, Miles Austin had some great seasons with Dallas but not with the Eagles.
#20 - Brian Dawkins
He could be the greatest Eagle of all-time, well at least one of them. Of course you have Reggie White so he may take the #2 spot. Weapon X was the leader of the Eagles defense for the greatest era in Eagles history. He was known for his pre-game antics, his spirituality, and his intensity. Everyone in Philly loves Brian Dawkins and this was a no-brainer.
#22 - Duce Staley
This is where my age (36) will probably be a factor in this decision. I never saw Timmy Brown play but I only heard great things. Asante Samuel was also another great Eagle who wore 22 but Duce Staley carried the team for a while when the team wasn’t that great. He was a workhorse back until we drafted Brian Westbrook. DUUUUUUUCEEEEE!!!
#25 - Tommy McDonald
A member of the Hall of Fame, the Eagles Hall of Fame, and he was a part of the 1960 Championship team. This is where my age didn’t deter me from selecting the correct pick. I loved LeSean McCoy while he was on the team. He is the all-time leading rusher in Eagles history but I was told Tommy McDonald is an all-timer in general.
#28 - Bill Bradley
I don’t know much about Bill Bradley but I do know that he played safety and also was the punter. That is amazing! He made 3 Pro Bowls at safety for the Eagles as well. I wanted to pick Correll Buckhalter just because I was such a fan but he’s just not there.
New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Archie Manning eludes Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive tackles, picking up a first down during a game at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. Manning led the Saints to a fourth quarter touchdown, upsetting Philadelphia 14-10. Defensive end Bill Bradley (28) approaches the scrambling quarterback.
#29 - Harold Jackson
A 5 time Pro Bowl receiver with 2 of them coming with the Birds. He is by far the best #29 they have ever had.
#60 - Chuck Bednarik
One of the greatest football players ever! Let’s look at some stats… 8 Pro Bowls, 10 First-team All-Pro nods, member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1950’s All Decade Team, an Eagles Hall of Famer, a Pro Football Hall Of Famer, and his jersey is retired by the Eagles. I think he gets the spot.
#68 - Dennis Hairston
Not many #68’s… He was a Pro Bowler so this gets him the nod.