Tom Brookshier, a former Colorado Buffalo who later became known as a broadcaster, died Friday in Philadelphia because of complications from a seven month battle with gallbladder cancer, according to a news release. Brookshier was 78.
“We have lost a great Buffalo, a true Buffalo,” CU athletic director Mike Bohn said in a news release. “Those of us who grew up in the 1970s watching the NFL knew who and how big a name in the business Tom Brookshier.”
According to a news release, Brookshier was born on Dec. 16, 1931, and arrived from Roswell (N.M.) High School to play three seasons of football at CU as a defensive right halfback and fullback. He had six career interceptions and returned a 65-yard punt for a touchdown in a 35-27 win over Kansas in 1951.
Beside football, Brookshier also plied his trade in baseball as a relief pitcher. In his senior year, Brookshier was 2-0, walked 32 and struck out 30 in 26 innings pitched.
In the 1953 NFL Draft, Brookshier was selected in the 10th round (117th overall) by the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded eight interceptions his rookie season before spending the next two years volunteering and then serving in the United States Air Force. Brookshier returned to the Eagles in 1956 and finished his career with 20 interceptions and earned All-Pro honors in 1959 and 1960.
Brookshier was a member of Philadelphia’s 1960 NFL championship team that beat legendary head coach Vince Lombardi and his Green Bay Packers 17-13.
“Nobody said we were going to beat Green Bay,” former Eagle and NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Tommy McDonald said to the Associated Press. “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.”
Soon after Brookshier retired in 1961 because of a broken leg, he turned to broadcasting. Later, he teamed with legendary announcer Pat Summerall for more than 10 years as CBS’ No. 1 broadcast team for NFL games. Together, they called four Super Bowls.
In 1981, Brookshier was reassigned to pair with former Eagles and St. Louis Rams head coach Dick Vermeil after John Madden left coaching and joined CBS. Brookshier retired from broadcasting in 1987.
“Tom Brookshier will be missed by his friends, colleagues and admirers,” CBS Sports president Sean McManus said to the AP. “His voice and his style will forever be part of the history of sports television and proudly recognized in the foundation and the future of CBS Sports.”
Brookshier is survived by his wife, Barbara, three children, Linda, Tommy and Betsy, one grandchild, Katie, and his sister Beverly.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Cheng Sio at Cheng.sio@colorado.edu.
