Brookshier died of complications from a seven-month battle with gallbladder cancer.

Brookshier had 20 interceptions in seven seasons with the team, earning All-Pro honors in 1959 and 1960. Eagles Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik called him a leader on the field and in the locker room, and said Brookshier "might have been the toughest defensive back of our era."

"He was a hitter," Bednarik said. "We`ve lost one of the great Eagles of all time."

Brookshier was a 10th-round draft pick out of Colorado who had eight interceptions as a rookie in 1953. He then served a two-year stint in the Air Force before returning to the NFL.

On Dec. 26, 1960, Brookshier and the Eagles held on for a 17-13 win over Bart Starr, Vince Lombardi and the mighty Green Bay Packers to win their last championship. Brookshier starred on that team, which Hall of Fame receiver Tommy McDonald likened to a family.

"Nobody said we were going to beat Green Bay," McDonald said. "Well, look at what we did! The 1960 team lost a brother. That 1960 team was family. He had an outstanding personality. He was a happy person to be around."

Brookshier is one of seven Eagles to have his number retired.

Before his years in the NFL, Brookshier lettered in three seasons (1950-52) for the Buffs as a defensive right halfback and fullback. He earned first-team All-Big Seven honors as a junior and senior.

"We have lost a great Buffalo, a true Buffalo," CU athletic director Mike Bohn said. "Those of us who grew up in the 1970s watching the NFL knew who and how big a name in the business Tom Brookshier was."

Brookshier was also a pitcher on the CU baseball team and served mostly in relief appearances. He was 2-0 as a senior and struck out 30 in just 26 innings pitched. He also walked 32 batters, prompting former teammate Frank Bernardi to recall Saturday, "He had a really good fastball, he just never knew where it was going."

After he retired from the NFL, Brookshier announced NFL games with Pat Summerall for CBS.