Kilroy To Be Inducted Into Eagles Hall of Fame

The Philadelphia Eagles announced that St Anne's, North Catholic and Temple University’s own Francis “Bucko” Kilroy, NC ‘39, will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.

North Catholic won the Catholic League title 3 of the 4 years that Bucko played football for the Falcons.  He was  heavily recruited by Notre Dame, but decided to attend Temple. Temple's football team was only in their tenth season when he arrived, and by his junior season, the Owls were ranked as high as 13th in the nation.

Kilroy went undrafted after Temple, but played for the "Steagles" in 1943. The Steagles were a one-year merger of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in the NFL for13 seasons, all in the Eagles organization. Bucko played in three consecutive NFL championship games (1947-1949), winning it all in 1947 & 1948.

After his playing days were over, Kilroy became a scout for the Eagles (1960-62), the Redskins (1962-64) and finally for the Cowboys (1965-70). In 1971, Bucko began what would be a 35 year relationship with the New England Patriots, serving as Director of Player Personnel from (1971-78), General Manager (1979-82), Vice President (1983-93) and finally as Scout Consultant (1994-2006). Bucko Kilroy passed away in 2007 at the age of 87.

Highlights from his playing days:

• 2 time NFL Champion (1948, 1949)

• 4 time All-Pro (1953-1955)

• NFL 1940's All-Decade Team

Highlights as an Executive

• 3 time Super Bowl Champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX).

We would be remiss if we didn't mention this part of the Bucko Kilroy story. During his playing days, and for many years after, he was often called the "Dirtiest Player in the NFL". We'll let Bucko and his contemporaries tell you about it here.

Congratulations from the Northeast Catholic Alumni Association to Francis "Bucko" Kilroy, Northeast Catholic High School Class of 1939.