Ex-Eagles great dies; was part of title teams

Eagles Hall of Fame wide receiver Pete Pihos died early Tuesday at age 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Mr. Pihos passed away at 1:40 a.m. at Grace Healthcare in Winston-Salem, N.C., according to the Eagles.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the Pihos family for the loss of Pete, who was one of the all-time great Philadelphia Eagles," coach Andy Reid said from Bethlehem, Pa., as the Eagles broke training camp.

"Again, condolences to his family. A Hall of Famer, man, unbelievable. Unbelievable person and a great player."

Mr. Pihos was a member of the Eagles' 1948 and 1949 NFL Championship teams. He caught the winning touchdown in the '49 game, a 14-0 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. In 1948, the Eagles topped the Chicago Cardinals, 7-0.

Mr. Pihos played in six Pro Bowls and was a five-time all-pro selection. He led the NFL three straight seasons (1953-55) in receptions, twice in yards (1953, 1955), and once in touchdowns (1953). He had 373 receptions for 5,619 yards and 61 touchdowns over his nine-year career.

Mr. Pihos, born in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 22, 1923, was an all-American at Indiana. He was drafted in 1945 and spent two years in the military before joining the Eagles in 1947. He spent his entire career in Philadelphia, also playing defensive end, and missed only one game.

He was inducted into Canton in 1970, and added to the Eagles Honor Roll in 1987.

Mr. Pihos is survived by his ex-wife, Donna Pihos, his caretaker for 12 years; three daughters; a son; a stepson; and eight grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Bethel United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem and is open to the public.