Former Philadelphia Eagles lineman Gene Gossage dies at aged 76 due to unknown reasons – NFL news
Ezra Eugene Gossage, former lineman in the National Football League and a member of Philadelphia Eagles when they won the NFL Championship in 1960, has died at the age of 76 due to an undisclosed condition.
More commonly known as Gene Gossage, he was born in Columbia, Tennessee on February 17, 1935 and played American football at the University of Cincinnati and Northwestern University.
After being drafted in the 28th round, 328th overall of the 1958 NFL Draft by Philadelphia Eagles, he went on to play in 40 games for them in three seasons, from 1960 to 1962. Weighing in at 140 pounds, (109 kilograms) the 6 ft 3” defensive
end, defensive tackle and guard was part of the Eagles team when they handed Vince Lombardi and his Green Bay Packers their first playoff defeat.
During the 1960 season, the Eagles were playing at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field that could accommodate 60,000 people, as opposed to their previous stadium, Connie Mack Stadium, which could only hold 39,000 people. It became the first stadium
in the NFL to use artificial turf and this is where the Eagles, including Gossage, were coached by Buck Shaw when they won their third NFL Championship.
Among the 1960 NFL Championship team were future Pro Football Hall of Famers Chuck Bednarik and Norm Van Brocklin, who were linebacker/centre and quarterback, respectively. The Eagles won that game even though they had only 296 total yards as opposed to
the Packers’ 401 yards. However, they went on to win that game against the Packers 17-13.
After leaving the NFL, Gossage went on to the Canadian Football League and played with Hamilton Tiger Cats for two seasons, in 1963 and 1962.
At Northwestern University, Gossage was selected to the All Big Ten Conference two consecutive times while playing for Northwestern Wildcats.
The Eagles front office released the news of his death and said that he was at his home in Old Saybrook, Connecticut when he passed away.
Gossage leaves behind his grandson Hudson Carr, daughter Jennifer Carr, son Gene Gossage II and wife Jaqueline.
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