Eagles’ Family Loses HOFer Tommy McDonald

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The Eagles have confirmed Pro Football Hall of Famer Tommy McDonald passed away Monday morning at the age of 84.

A six-time Pro-Bowl selection and a key member on the 1960 NFL Championship team, Philadelphia's last title before the Super Bowl LII win in February, McDonald spent his first seven NFL seasons in with the Eagles (1957-63), compiling 287 receptions, 5,499 receiving yards and 66 touchdowns.

Ultimately McDonald finished his 12-year career as one of the best receivers of his era, amassing 8,410 receiving yards on 495 catches and 84 touchdowns.

McDonald still holds the Eagles franchise record for most receiving yards in a game (237 – vs. the New York Giants on Dec. 10, 1961) and recorded the second most receiving touchdowns in a single season for the franchise on two occasions (13 in both 1960 and 1961). He was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame a decade later in 1998.

“Tommy McDonald played the game with a passion and energy that was second to none,” said Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie. “He will be remembered as one of the most exciting players ever to play his position, but what really separated him and made him so unique was the infectious personality and charisma that he brought to his everyday life. He had a genuine love for this team, for the Philadelphia community, for the fans, and of course his family.

"He was a man of character, both on and off the field, who exemplified all the qualities that we hope to represent as an organization. He was a champion, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and one of the most genuine individuals I have ever met. On behalf of the Philadelphia Eagles, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the entire McDonald family.”

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen