The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the NFL's older franchises, and as such, have boasted some of the league's all-time greats.
Quarterback Carson Wentz may eventually make his way onto this list, but it's still too early to tell. For now, here are the five biggest legends in Eagles history.
5. Andy Reid, head coach
Reid's first NFL head coaching job was with the Eagles, taking the job in 1999. Over his 14 years with the team, he had just three losing seasons, in contrast to nine playoff berths and one Super Bowl appearance. That came in 2003, when the Eagles nearly defeated the New England Patriots, falling just short at 21-24.
Overall, Reid went 130-93-1 in Philadelphia, and is by far the longest-tenured coach in team history. Doug Pederson is currently edging him out in winning percentage by 1.1 percent, but with a quarter of the games coached. Reid was fired following the 2012 season, and has become even more successful with the Kansas City Chiefs. He still has a good relationship with the team, and his old friends and coworkers in Philadelphia were certainly elated to see him finally win a Super Bowl this past season.
4. Nick Foles, quarterback
Foles was a fourth-round pick in 2012 out of Arizona and went 1-5 in six starts as a rookie. Based on that performance, no one expected what he'd do in 2013. In 10 starts, he went 8-2, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,891 yards and an astounding 27 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions on his way to a Pro Bowl nod. Foles was unable to replicate that success in 2014, and the Eagles traded him to the St. Louis Rams as part of a package for quarterback Sam Bradford.
After a rough two years with the Rams and Chiefs (he hardly played in Kansas City), Foles returned to Philadelphia to back up Carson Wentz. Plans changed in Week 14 after Wentz suffered a torn ACL. Foles finished the season as the starter, and led the Eagles through the playoffs to one of the most improbable Super Bowl victories in recent memories, catching a touchdown from tight end Trey Burton on the now-infamous “Philly Special.” He will forever be a part of NFL history as the backup quarterback to lead his team to a championship.
3. Brian Dawkins, safety
‘Weapon X” was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018, and is one of the NFL's greatest safeties in addition to being part of the prestigious 20/20 club (players with 20 or more sacks and interceptions). For 13 seasons, Dawkins was an enforcer in Philadelphia, making nine Pro Bowls and being named to four All-Pro teams. He was the heart and soul of the Eagles defense for more than a decade, and was able to win a Super Bowl ring with the team as part of their football operations department in 2017.
2. Chuck Bednarik, linebacker
Bednarik was the first-overall pick in 1949, and in addition to being one of the game's greatest linebackers also played center full time, the last such player in NFL history to do so. He even punted and served as a kick and punt returner at times. Bednarik spent his entire 14-year career with the Eagles, and was a decorated player. He made eight Pro Bowls, was a 10-time First Team All-Pro and won two NFL Championships. He was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1967, and is one the NFL's all-time tough guys, as he made sure he let everyone know.
1. Reggie White, defensive end
White had an excellent six-year run with the Green Bay Packers, but did most of his damage in Philadelphia. The “Minister of Defense” ranks second all-time in sacks with 198, just two behind Bruce Smith (Smith played four more years than White). Of those, 124 came over eight seasons with the Eagles, where he made six consecutive All-Pro teams and seven straight Pro Bowls. White is arguably the greatest pass-rusher of all time, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2006, his first year of eligibility.
Unfortunately, White did not live to put on a golden jacket. He sadly passed away in December of 2004 due to a heart condition compounded by White's sleep apnea. Today, the Reggie White Sleep Disorders Research and Education Foundation is “dedicated to keeping alive the memory of a wonderful man and football superstar through providing education and research that allows all people to learn about sleep disorders and to access treatment equipment, regardless of their socio economic status.” White was always helping those in need during his career, and that legacy lives on to this day.
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