Where are they now: Frank LeMaster

EAGLES CAREER: A fourth-round draft pick from Kentucky in 1974, LeMaster played all of his nine NFL seasons (1974-1982) with the Eagles during a span in which the team went from being one of the NFL's worst to its finest. LeMaster was a key part of the 1980 Super Bowl squad in addition to locking up Pro Bowl honors in 1981. A 6-1, 195-pound linebacker, he was always around the ball, and finished his career with seven fumble recoveries, 10 interceptions and two touchdowns.

WHERE HE IS NOW: Playing on the Veterans Stadium turf actually inspired LeMaster to find his calling after football. He works as a senior sales representative for FieldTurf Tarkett, a company that manufactures and installs synthetic turf. "We played on the worst turf in America, that old Astroturf at Veterans Stadium," LeMaster said. "The turf that we manufacture is miles safer than that old stuff, and it shows." Nine NFL stadiums use the product, he said. In addition, LeMaster - who lives in Birchrunville, Chester County - enjoys fishing, hunting and keeping up with his three boys: Justin, 29, Brennan, 27, and Alexander, his 14-year-old who plays football and lacrosse at nearby Owen J. Roberts High School in Royersford.

AN EAGLES MEMORY: LeMaster won't forget that his years with the Eagles were credited with the franchise's rise from the ashes. A team that finished 5-8-1 prior to his rookie season (1973) had amassed four playoff appearances thereafter, one that culminated with that memorable '80 Super Bowl run. "Being a part of a winning tradition is my fondest memory," LeMaster said. "Playing with guys like Jaws [Ron Jaworski] and Wilbert [Montgomery] and Dick [Vermeil], guys who wanted to win and would settle for nothing less. It was a rewarding experience for me coming out of those years just to be a part of something so special."

PERSPECTIVE ON TODAY'S GAME: While today's players appear more custom-built for their positions, LeMaster said he feels that it all derives from a concentration of strength and conditioning regimens. "In my day, guys cross-trained and could play a bunch of different positions," he said. "Today, from training all the way down to nutrition, guys are built to be bigger, faster and stronger for their specific jobs. I mean, how else can you explain linemen that are 350 pounds that can run a 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds? It's just unheard of."