Legendary NFL linebacker Maxie Baughan has died at the age of 85, the Philadelphia Eagles have announced
- Maxie Baughan was a second round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960
- Born in Alabama, he died of natural causes surrounded by his family in New York
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Legendary Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Maxie Baughan died Saturday at the age of 85, the franchise announced Sunday.
The Alabama native died of natural causes surrounded by his family in New York, the organization said in a statement.
“On behalf of the Philadelphia Eagles family, I am saddened by the passing of Maxie Baughan, one of our team’s all-time greats,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Eagles team chairman and CEO.
Baughan played for Coach Bobby Dodd at Georgia Tech as a linebacker and center. He was selected by Philadelphia in the second round of the 1960 draft, No. 20 overall. He started out in 1960 as a rookie for the Eagles NFL championship team and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
Baughan also played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1966 to 1970. He was an assistant coach at Georgia Tech from 1972-73 before spending a year as player-coach with the Washington Redskins in 1974.
Legendary Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Maxie Baughan died Saturday at the age of 85
The Alabama native was a 1960 second-round draft pick, No. 20 overall, by Philadelphia
Baughan also coached in the NFL as an assistant at Baltimore, Detroit, Minnesota and Tampa Bay before becoming Cornell’s coach in 1984. Baughan coached Cornell to the 1988 Ivy League co-championship, the school’s first since 1971.
Baughan was named one of 12 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024 in the senior category last month.
“Maxie Baughan was a fierce and highly intelligent competitor who established himself as the top center in the country in 1959,” National Football Foundation chairman Archie Manning said in a press release.
“His passion for the game continued throughout his life and he has mentored countless great players over the years, coaching in both college and the NFL.”
The Georgia Tech graduate was inducted into the Ohio Adelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 2015
“He became an integral part of our game and we were deeply saddened to learn of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Baughan was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 1965 and the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Eagles say Baughan is survived by his 62-year-old wife Dianne, three children, Max, Mark and Matt, and eight grandchildren.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said Baughan was known for “playing a tough, tenacious style of football.” Maxie’s induction into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2015 cemented his legacy and recognized his contributions to the team. “Our hearts go out to his wife Dianne and all of Maxie’s family and friends who are mourning his loss.”