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Philadelphia Eagleslegend Billy Ray Barnes has died at the age of 90.

Barnes, who left the sport in 1996, spent five years with the Philadelphia team during his NFL tenure and contributed to the franchise’s 1960 Championship victory.

His passing was verified by his daughter Billi Barnes Akins, who shared that the former halfback was with his family at the time of his death on Wednesday.

In a statement provided to the Eagles, Akins remarked: “He was 90 and led a remarkable life.”

One of the aspects he appreciated about the Eagles was that in the championship match, they were considered the underdogs. Dad consistently favored being the underdog. He believed it helped him become more resilient, stronger, and motivated to play with greater intensity.

He mentioned that the sole reason they succeeded was because of their team. They were a closely-knit group who had faith in one another.

Having been chosen as a second-round pick in 1957, Barnes received three Pro Bowl selections within his first three seasons with the Philadelphia team.

In the championship match against the Packers in 1960, Barnes carried the ball 13 times for 42 yards and contributed a crucial 13-yard catch during the winning drive.

Akins also mentioned that Barnes’ 1960 Championship ring had been stolen from their house earlier, before she and her twin sister purchased a new one for him.

She also mentioned that, following his return to Philadelphia for a reunion in 2010, Barnes was amazed by the welcome he and his old teammates got from supporters.

He never understood how people regarded these individuals as the greatest of all time,” Akins remarked. “Strangers you’ve never heard of would simply call him and reach out to him.

The most significant aspect was the friendships he formed there. They lasted a lifetime. He kept in touch with several friends over the phone for many years. He appreciated all aspects of Philadelphia.

Following his departure from the Eagles, he was associated with the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings. In 1968, he took on the role of head coach for the Charleston Rockets in the Continental Football League.

Soon after the news of his passing was shared, Eagles supporters swiftly took to social media to honor their former star. The team’s message on X, which announced the update, received an outpouring of emotional replies from fans in Philadelphia.

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