Temple University Athletics
Former Temple Great Frank "Bucko" Kilroy Passes Away
7.11.07 | Football
July 11, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - Frank "Bucko" Kilroy, the first Temple football player to earn All-America mention in the history of the program, passed away Tuesday at the age of 86. A Philadelphia native, Kilroy played for the Cherry & White from 1940-41 under College Hall of Fame head coach Ray Morrison, and helped lead the Owls to a 7-2 record as a senior.
Kilroy was an Associated Press First Team All-East and honorable mention All-American in 1941 when he helped the Owls defeat rivals Penn State, Bucknell and Villanova in the same year for the first time in school history. He was inducted in to the Temple Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977.
After his tenure on North Broad Street, Kilroy played 13 seasons with his hometown NFL team. He played with the combined Phil-Pitt Steagles in 1943 before starring for Philadelphia from 1944-55. A two-way tackle, he wound up as a middle guard on defense, the position which earned him the most notoriety. He played in 147 consecutive games, which was a league record at the time and missed only one of 203 games overall because of an injury. With the Eagles, he made All-Pro six years and played in three Pro Bowl games.
After his playing career ended, Kilroy remained in the NFL as a top talent scout and executive. His NFL career spanned 64 seasons, including 36 years with the New England Patriots. He also worked in player personnel and scouting for the Eagles, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys, and mentored numerous others who went on to lead NFL scouting departments. In New England, he served as personnel director (1971-78), general manager (1979-82), vice president (1983-93), and scouting consultant (1994-2007). Current Temple head coach Al Golden played for the Patriots in 1992 during Kilroy's tenure.
Kilroy was recently elected to the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame along with fellow Temple greats Walter Bahr and the late Harry Litwack. The trio will formally be enshrined on December 12 at a dinner to be held at the Hyatt Regency Penns Landing.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
