PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles executive Jim Gallagher has died after spending almost a half-century with the team. He was 88.
The team said he died Friday but did not give other details.
Gallagher joined the Eagles in 1949 and retired in 1995. He was named personnel director in 1957 and later was public relations director, sales and marketing director, alumni relations director and traveling secretary.
Gallagher worked with 17 head coaches and for 12 owners, general managers and team presidents during his 46 years with the organization. He is one of two team executives inducted into the EaglesHall of Fame.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie called Gallagher "one of the kindest and most remarkable men you could ever meet'' and said his impact on the club was "far reaching."
"Jim was one of the kindest and most remarkable men you could ever meet," Lurie said in a statement. "His dedication to this organization went far beyond the 46 years he spent here, and his impact was far reaching. Everyone who was fortunate enough to meet Jim knows how much he loved the Eagles, but also how much he truly cared for and invested in the lives of others. To borrow one of his famous phrases, Jim was a 'first-round pick.' On behalf of the entire Eagles family, I would like to extend our condolences to the Gallaghers."
Copyright 2017 by The Associated Press.
