PHILADELPHIA — Tom Brookshier, a standout defensive back at the University of Colorado who played on the Philadelphia Eagles’ 1960 championship team, died Friday night of complications from gallbladder cancer. He was 78.
“We have lost a great Buffalo, a true Buffalo,” CU athletic director Mike Bohn said in a release.
At Colorado, Brookshier earned all-Big Seven honors as a junior (1951) and senior (1952) and in 1989 was named honorable mention on CU’s all-century team.
Brookshier had 20 interceptions in seven seasons with the Eagles, earning all-pro honors in 1959 and 1960.
Eagles Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik called him a leader and said Brookshier “might have been the toughest defensive back of our era.”
“He was a hitter,” Bednarik said. “We’ve lost one of the great Eagles of all time.”
Brookshier was a 10th-round draft pick out of CU who had eight interceptions as a rookie in 1953. He served a two-year stint in the Air Force before returning to the NFL.
After he retired, Brookshier announced NFL games with Pat Summerall for CBS. He is one of seven Eagles to have his number retired.
Footnotes.
Former Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn was hired by Baltimore as the Ravens’ quarterbacks coach.
• Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie was dismissed from the NFC’s Pro Bowl team because of unexcused absences.
Denver Post staff & wire services
