Hall of Fame RB Steve Van Buren Dies
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Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(PHILADELPHIA) — Hall of Fame running back Steve Van Buren passed away on Thursday. He was 91.
Van Buren led the Philadelphia Eagles to NFL titles in 1948 and 1949.
The Eagles drafted Van Buren in 1944 in the first round and he would go onto lead the NFL in rushing four times and finished his career with 5,860 yards rushing with 77 touchdowns.
“On the field and off, as a player, a leader and a man, Steve Van Buren embodied the finest characteristics of our city and our sport,” said Jeffrey Lurie, the Eagles’ chairman and CEO. “He was a friend and an inspiration to generations of fans, and the model of what an Eagle should be.”
Van Buren sits second in team history with his 77 touchdowns and holds the Eagles’ single-game rushing record with 205 yards against the Steelers in 1949.
“Watch those old films and you know that Steve Van Buren was something special,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “He was special in person, too, humble about his own accomplishments and encouraging to others. His memory will be with Eagles fans for as long as this team takes the field.”
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