One of the most beloved Philadelphia Eagles of the past 20 years is finally being honored with a spot in the club’s Hall of Fame. Brian Westbrook will join linebacker Maxie Baughn as the newest members of the Eagles Hall of Fame on October 19th during the club’s Week 6 Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants. The 5-10, 203 lb. RB was one of the most explosive all-purpose weapons in the NFL during his eight-year career.
Westbrook is one of only six players in NFL history with more than 30 rushing and receiving touchdowns. The versatile RB was one of the most prolific backs in Eagles history, and his name is littered throughout the club’s record book. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in yards from scrimmage and touches and holds the franchise’s single season-records for receptions and yards from scrimmage.
He joined the Eagles in 2002 as a third-round draft pick out of Villanova, where his all-purpose talents were already on full display. Westbrook holds the all-time NCAA record for all purpose yards with 9,985. Similar to his pro career, the question for defenses was not if Westbrook was going to do damage, but how he would do it. A threat to score nearly every time he touched the ball, Westbrook racked up 84 touchdowns over 64 college games.
Westbrook was eased into the Eagles RB rotation in 2002 before assuming a larger role in 2003. By 2004, he was a firmly entrenched part of the offense, earning the first of his two Pro Bowl nods (his second came in 2007). Westbrook played well in the Eagles Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots, gaining 100+ total yards and scoring a TD. Over the five-year stretch from 2004 through 2008, Westbrook was one of the most productive backs in the NFL – despite missing at least one game in each season:
- 2004: 13 GP, Rushing – 177/812/3, Receiving – 73/703/6
- 2005: 12 GP, Rushing – 156/617/3, Receiving – 61/616/4
- 2006: 15 GP, Rushing – 240/1217/7, Receiving – 77/699/4
- 2007: 15 GP, Rushing – 278/1333/7, Receiving – 90/771/5
- 2008: 14 GP, Rushing – 233/936/9, Receiving – 54/402/5
An injury-riddled 2009 season would be Westbrook’s last with the Eagles. He would go on to join the San Francisco 49ers before playing his final season in 2010.
Westbrook spoke about his honor this week, courtesy of The Inquirer:
“When I have people come up to me now and rattle off my stats and say they watched me when they were younger, it still amazes me just a bit, because I don’t look at myself that way. I look at myself as just another guy who worked hard at his job, grinded, and good things happen when you work hard. Just like Rocky, they love the underdog. They love a guy coming from a small school who’s willing to work his butt off, to dedicate himself to the game, but also can relate to the public. People in the stands, that’s me. That’s who I am,” said Westbrook.
You can be sure that Lincoln Financial Field will have a special buzz on October 19th. A MNF game vs. the rival Giants plus the honors for Westbrook should make it one of the hottest Eagles tickets of 2015.
