Bucko Kilroy was certainly there at the 1948 NFL Championship Game.
Played during a blizzard at Philadelphia's Shibe Park, Kilroy, lining up as a defensive tackle, recovered a fumble by Chicago Cardinals quarterback Ray Mallouf deep in Eagles territory late in the third quarter of a scoreless game.
Kilroy was back on the field at the right guard position as the offense took possession. The drive ended early in the fourth quarter with Kilroy pulling to open the hole for Steve Van Buren to score the game's only touchdown, giving the Eagles a 7-0 victory and the franchise's first World Championship.
A Philadelphia native who was an All-American lineman at Temple, Kilroy was a member of the 1940's NFL All-Decade Team before earning all three of his Pro Bowl selections in consecutive years from 1952-54. The Eagles announced on Wednesday that Kilroy will be inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, along with Malcolm Jenkins, when the Eagles host the Chicago Bears on November 28.
"Malcolm and Bucko are most deserving of our team's highest honor, having played integral roles on the 1948, 1949, and 2017 championship-winning teams," Lurie said in a statement. "Along with seven of his teammates, Bucko is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade Team of the 1940s – an era in which he helped lead the franchise to back-to-back NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949.
"A captain on our first Super Bowl-winning team in 2017, Malcolm was a tenacious player who was beloved by his teammates and coaches for the thoughtful leadership and veteran presence he provided. We proudly congratulate both men, along with their families, and look forward to officially inducting them into the Eagles Hall of Fame in November."
Following his esteemed career at Temple, Kilroy served in the Merchant Marines during World War II – when the "Kilroy Was Here" graffiti artwork became a rallying cry for American soldiers around the globe, no relation to Bucko himself – before signing with his hometown team as an undrafted free agent in 1943. The Eagles merged with the Steelers that year to form the Steagles due to the war.
Kilroy's entire 13-year NFL playing career was spent with the Philadelphia Eagles. Kilroy helped the Eagles repeat as World Champions in 1949, beating the Los Angeles Rams 14-0 in the title game. Over those back-to-back championship seasons, the Eagles were 22-3-1 (.865) and won both championship games by shutout, a feat that has not been repeated since.
The 1948 Eagles ranked second in the league in both points scored and points allowed. In 1949, the Eagles ranked first in both of those metrics. Van Buren, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, won four rushing titles, including three in a row, running behind Kilroy. The 6-foot-2, 240-plus-pound Kilroy also registered five interceptions during his career.
An ironman whose name is synonymous with toughness, Kilroy did not miss a start in eight consecutive seasons.
Following his playing career, Kilroy was an assistant coach with the Eagles before transitioning to player personnel for several teams. He is credited as one of the founders of the NFL Scouting Combine and helped shape the NFL Draft as fans know it today. Overall, Kilroy spent 64 seasons in the NFL as a player, coach, or executive. He has been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game.
Kilroy passed away in 2007 at the age of 86.
