Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and Chadds Ford resident Bill Bergey was at Stanley’s Tavern in North Wilmington to celebrate the Birds’ victory in Super Bowl LII, writes Jeff Neiburg for The Wilmington News Journal.

Bergey, 72, a five-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Eagles Hall of Fame, played for the Birds in Super Bowl XV in 1981, when the team lost to the Oakland Raiders, 27-10.

“The worst thing I can tell you is, going to one Super Bowl and getting beat, and knowing that you’ll never get another chance,” Bergey said. “It’s almost as bad as not going at all.”

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At about 4:30 PM on the day of the game, the parking lot at Stanley’s wasn’t quite full. But by 5:30 PM, fans started pouring in to take their places before kickoff. Seats at Stanley’s, which has a capacity of 305, were sold out earlier in the week.

Bergey was happy for the current Eagles and for owner Jeffrey Lurie as the game clock ran out and the team captured its first-ever Super Bowl championship.

“I’m elated beyond words,” Bergey said, as he looked at the messages pouring in on his cell phone.

Read more about Bill Bergey in The Wilmington News Journal by clicking here.

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared Feb. 21, 2018.