TOM BROOKSHIER
(1931-2010)
It is the laugh that I will always remember; the flinty, irascible chortle from the gut that emanated from Thomas Jefferson Brookshier whether he was responding to your joke….or his own.
Tom Brookshier was a man’s man. The native of Roswell, New Mexico and 10th round draft choice out of Colorado was raised on old school football and steeped in the tradition of toughness. He was a cornerback who would actually tackle…and he just couldn’t understand how modern day players were allowed to get away with not doing the same.
He had removed himself from all of the Eagle alumni functions recently. Many of us had assumed it was because of some malice toward the current Eagle’s management or the league’s antiquated pension for the game’s pioneers. Perhaps it was…or perhaps Tom Brookshier didn’t want to burden any of us with his illness.
He was a great player, entertaining broadcaster, and business pioneer. He also had a tendency to speak off the cuff while trying to fill air time with something humorous or controversial. It got him in trouble from time to time……but anyone who has ever been behind the microphone knows that you are paid to say something thought provoking. And there can be a fine line between interesting and dangerous. Tom may have dipped a toe over that line occasionally while trying to do his job. But anyone who ever knew the man could tell you there was absolutely no malice behind the comments. It was just his way.
So we gather to say farewell to our fallen comrade…..and to that heartfelt laugh that endeared him to every friend, fan, coach, or fellow alumni that ever met him. Heaven is now the venue that will be his playing field….and the angels are smiling that he has joined them to provide a joyous commentary to the Super Bowl played in the stars.
The angels are lucky....they still have their wings. But the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans lost one of theirs this weekend.
(1931-2010)
It is the laugh that I will always remember; the flinty, irascible chortle from the gut that emanated from Thomas Jefferson Brookshier whether he was responding to your joke….or his own.
Tom Brookshier was a man’s man. The native of Roswell, New Mexico and 10th round draft choice out of Colorado was raised on old school football and steeped in the tradition of toughness. He was a cornerback who would actually tackle…and he just couldn’t understand how modern day players were allowed to get away with not doing the same.
He had removed himself from all of the Eagle alumni functions recently. Many of us had assumed it was because of some malice toward the current Eagle’s management or the league’s antiquated pension for the game’s pioneers. Perhaps it was…or perhaps Tom Brookshier didn’t want to burden any of us with his illness.
He was a great player, entertaining broadcaster, and business pioneer. He also had a tendency to speak off the cuff while trying to fill air time with something humorous or controversial. It got him in trouble from time to time……but anyone who has ever been behind the microphone knows that you are paid to say something thought provoking. And there can be a fine line between interesting and dangerous. Tom may have dipped a toe over that line occasionally while trying to do his job. But anyone who ever knew the man could tell you there was absolutely no malice behind the comments. It was just his way.
So we gather to say farewell to our fallen comrade…..and to that heartfelt laugh that endeared him to every friend, fan, coach, or fellow alumni that ever met him. Heaven is now the venue that will be his playing field….and the angels are smiling that he has joined them to provide a joyous commentary to the Super Bowl played in the stars.
The angels are lucky....they still have their wings. But the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans lost one of theirs this weekend.
