(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Friday that NFL legend and former Eagles tight end Pete Retzlaff died from natural causes at the age of 88.
Retzlaff, who helped lead the Eagles to an NFL Championship in 1960, is one of only nine players in franchise history to have his number (44) retired.
Selected out of South Dakota State University by the Detroit Lions in the 1953 NFL Draft, Retzlaff found his way to Philadelphia after serving two years in the Army.
With the Eagles, Retzlaff moved from full-back to tight end and was selected to five Pro Bowls. He retired following the 1966 season as the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (452) and receiving yards (7,412).