John Niland, Former Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Guard, Passes Away

John Niland, a former offensive guard for the Philadelphia Eagles, passed away at the age of 82 at his home in McKinney, Texas, over the weekend.

Niland, who was acquired by the Eagles in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys in September 1975, played a pivotal role in stabilizing the left guard position during his single season with the team. He started 13 games after recovering from a hamstring injury, bringing his experience as a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro to Philadelphia.

Before joining the Eagles, Niland had a distinguished 10-year career in the NFL, primarily with the Cowboys, where he contributed to their first Super Bowl victory and earned multiple Pro Bowl selections. His time with the Eagles was cut short due to a knee injury sustained during training camp in 1976. Niland's family has announced plans to donate his brain to Boston University’s CTE Center for research, highlighting ongoing discussions about the long-term effects of football. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.