Bucko Kilroy, a former Philadelphia Eagles lineman, will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Eagles organization. Kilroy will be honored alongside Malcolm Jenkins when the team hosts the Chicago Bears on November 28.
Kilroy played a key role in some of the most significant moments in franchise history. During the 1948 NFL Championship Game at Shibe Park, he recovered a fumble by Chicago Cardinals quarterback Ray Mallouf and later helped create the opening for Steve Van Buren’s decisive touchdown run. This play secured a 7-0 victory and delivered the Eagles their first World Championship.
A native of Philadelphia and an All-American lineman at Temple University, Kilroy was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1940s. He earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1952 to 1954. After serving in the Merchant Marines during World War II, he joined his hometown team as an undrafted free agent in 1943, playing his entire 13-year career with the Eagles.
“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,” said Jeffrey Lurie 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.”
Kilroy contributed to consecutive championship wins for Philadelphia in both 1948 and 1949. Over those two seasons, the Eagles achieved a combined record of 22-3-1 and won both title games by shutout—a feat that has not been repeated since then. The team ranked near or at the top league-wide for points scored and allowed during those years.
Known for his durability, Kilroy started every game over eight straight seasons without missing one. Following his playing days, he became an assistant coach with Philadelphia before moving into player personnel roles with various teams across the league. He is credited as one of those who established what would become known as the NFL Scouting Combine—an event now central to draft preparation—and spent more than six decades involved with professional football as a player, coach or executive.
Kilroy died in 2007 at age 86.
