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Baughan, Westbrook Headed To Hall Of Fame

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During Tuesday's Open Practice, the Eagles announced Maxie Baughan and Brian Westbrook as the Hall of Fame Class for 2015 ...

Two of the most accomplished and decorated players in Philadelphia Eagles history, Brian Westbrook and Maxie Baughan will be inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame on Monday, October 19 when the team hosts the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. The official announcement was made earlier today at an Eagles Training Camp Open Practice at Lincoln Financial Field.

A two-time Pro Bowl and first-team Associated Press All-Pro selection, Westbrook is the Eagles' all-time leader in total yards from scrimmage (9,785) and is one of only six players in NFL history with 30 rushing touchdowns (41) and 30 receiving touchdowns (30).

"Brian Westbrook was an electrifying player who had that rare ability to change the course of a game with one play," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Lurie. "Several of those plays are forever engrained in my memory bank. He could do it all from the running back position and what I most respected about him is that he did it with class and professionalism. I am appreciative how great of a representative he was and continues to be of our organization and he is well deserving of this honor."

Westbrook enjoyed a nine-year career in the NFL, spending his first eight seasons in Philadelphia (2002-09) where he helped guide the team to four NFC East crowns, four NFC Championship Game appearances and a berth in Super Bowl XXXIX. He rounded out his Eagles career with 1,308 carries, 5,995 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns, while adding 3,790 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns on 426 receptions. His 107 career games as an Eagle ranks second best among franchise running backs, trailing only Tom Woodeshick (111).

Aside from being the Eagles' all-time scrimmage yards leader, the multi-threat running back solidified himself near the top of many offensive categories in team annals. Westbrook ranks second all-time in total touches (1,734); third in rushing yards, career touchdowns (68) and receptions; and fourth in carries and rushing touchdowns. With 20 career 100-yard rushing games (regular season and playoffs), he ranks tied for third in team history behind Wilbert Montgomery (26) and LeSean McCoy (23).

In 2007, Westbrook earned his second Pro Bowl selection after leading the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,104) and ranking third in the league with 1,333 rushing yards, a career high. He also hauled in a career-best 90 receptions that season, which stands as the single-season franchise record.

Not only was Westbrook a key contributor to a successful era in Eagles football, he was part of one of the most historic and captivating plays in franchise history. Tabbed as the "Miracle at the Meadowlands II," Westbrook scooped up a bouncing punt and returned it 84 yards at Giants Stadium to give the Eagles a late fourth-quarter lead and the eventual win over New York, 14-10, on October 19, 2003. His 84-yard punt return for a touchdown ranks fourth best in team history. The momentum from that victory helped propel the Eagles back to the NFC Championship game for the third consecutive season.

Originally a third-round draft pick of the Eagles in 2002, Westbrook was a consensus All-America and a two-time A-10 Offensive Player of the Year at Villanova University where he set the all-time NCAA record with 9,885 all-purpose yards.

A native of Hyattsville, Maryland, the 35-year-old Westbrook owns a 23-acre horse farm in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and also runs his own charity, Brian's Blessings, which raises awareness around the needs of underprivileged children.

One of the greatest linebackers in franchise history, Maxie Baughan was a nine-time Pro Bowl and four-time All-Pro selection, totaling 18 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries during his 12-year career (1960-70, '74). He spent his first six seasons in Philadelphia, earning five Pro Bowl nods and starting all 80 games in which he played.

"I have fond memories of watching Maxie Baughan growing up," said Lurie. "He was regarded as one of the top linebackers in the game and deservedly so. To be honored as a Pro Bowler nine times in one decade is certainly a testament to his dominance on the field. It is also an amazing feat for him to play a key role on the 1960 NFL Championship team as a rookie. We are excited to add to Maxie's already storied legacy by inducting him into the Eagles Hall of Fame." !

The 20th overall selection in the 1960 NFL Draft, Baughan burst onto the scene as a rookie where he started every game and helped lead the Eagles to their third NFL Championship. In just his first season, he was named an All-Pro in addition to earning Pro Bowl honors.

Following his playing career, Baughan entered the coaching ranks where he served as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Colts from 1975-79, while also holding various coaching stints with the Redskins, Lions, Vikings, Buccaneers and Ravens. From 1983-88, he was the head football coach at Cornell University where he helped guide the program to an Ivy League championship in 1988.

A three-year letterwinner at Georgia Tech, Baughan was inducted into the program's Hall of Fame in 1965 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

The Forkland, Alabama native currently resides in Maryland with his wife, Diane.

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