Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Bucko Kilroy

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
Sport(s): Football Executive and Scout
Statistics: 1 NFL Championship (1960)
3 Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII & XXXIX)

*2 NFL Championships (1948 & 1949)
*3 Pro Bowls (1953, 1954 & 1955)
*Member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team

*As a player
Frank “Bucko” Kilroy played 13 seasons in the NFL, all for the Philadelphia Eagles, where he won two NFL Championships and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection. When his career ended in 1956, Kilroy became an assistant coach for the Eagles before moving into scouting. After two years as a scout for Philadelphia, he moved on to similar roles with Washington and Dallas. With the Cowboys, Kilroy helped convince ownership that drafting Roger Staubach would be well worth it, despite the years that the quarterback would have to miss due to military commitments.

Kilroy left the Cowboys for the New England Patriots as their director of player personnel in 1971, where he built up the team to fringe contenders by the mid-to-late 70s. Kilroy then moved higher up the executive ladder to the general manager position in 1979, again acquiring talent. Three years later, he moved up the vice president's role, and with his help, the Patriots made their first Super Bowl, though they thumped by the Chicago Bears.

In 1994, Kilroy moved to a different role, back to scouting as a consultant, and he was instrumental in advising the Patriots in the acquirement of key players that would help them win their first three Super Bowls. Kilroy worked until 2007, passing away at age 86.

We are proud to nominate Bucko Kilroy for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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