Marion Campbell, an All-Pro lineman who helped the Eagles win the 1960 NFL championship and was later head coach of both the Eagles and Falcons, has died at the age of 87.
Campbell played both offense and defense on a great Eagles team and was known for his rough play at a time when players could trade punches on the field without penalty flags being thrown. Campbell never missed a game during that championship season despite playing through torn ligaments in his ankle that required pain-killing shots before kickoff, and again at halftime, for every game.
Campbell was chosen All-SEC in all three of his seasons at Georgia in 1949, 1950 and 1951. He was drafted by the 49ers in 1952 but spent two years in the Army before going to the NFL. He then played two seasons in San Francisco before heading to Philadelphia, where he played from 1956 to 1961.
After his playing career ended, Campbell went into coaching. He was a well-respected defensive coordinator, a job he had with the Falcons, Eagles and at his alma mater of Georgia, but he was less successful as a head coach: His cumulative record in two stints as head coach of the Falcons and one as head coach of the Eagles was 34-80-1.
Campbell’s survivors include his son, Washington Director of College Scouting Scott Campbell.
