Harv currently writes for Abstract Sports, the Sports History Network, and the magazine Gridiron Greats. Harv wrote the published book "Pro Football's Most Passionate Fans" and as a professional writer has had articles published in an array of sports publications.
Philadelphia Eagles - Best Number One Pick for Every Team in NFL Draft History
For those of you who are unaware, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles once joined forces because of World War II and a shortage of players and called themselves the “Steagles” The Eagles took part in that first NFL draft ever of 1936 and they made history by having the very first draft pick in a pro draft process. Jay Berwanger put himself into draft lore after becoming the first player to ever be drafted by an NFL team. One of the toughest men ever to play in the NFL was an Eagle and that was Chuck Bednarik who would make waves when in a game against the New York Giants he clothesline tackled Frank Gifford knocking him unconscious, ending his season and affecting his future in football. In that era that kind of tackle was legal. Bednark was a first-round pick in 1949.
Who is the highest-flying Eagle picked in the first round of a draft? My choice is the late Reggie White. A defensive monster on the line, White is one of the NFL’s all-time greats. Philadelphia has had a strong history of drafting superb players with their first-round opportunities.
Honorable Mentions: Davey O’Brien (1939), Steven Van Buren (1944), Frank Tripucka (1949), Jerry Sisemore (1973), Mike Quick (1982), Keith Byars (1986), Keith Jackson (1988), Mike Mamula (1995), Donovan McNabb (1999), Freddie Mitchell (2001), Lito Sheppard (2002), Jerome McDougle (2003), Shawn Andrews (2004)
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