B-West to Retire an Eagle

No. 36 to sign 1-day deal to retire with team where he became a star

Eagles great Brian Westbrook is joining fellow Pro Bowl former teammates like Brian Dawkins and Tra Thomas and calling it a career as a member of the Eagles.

“I will always remember Brian for the electrifying, game-changing plays he made during his great career in Philadelphia,” said Eagles Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie in a press release from the team. “He was one of those players you knew could score from anywhere on the field and one of the most exciting players I have ever watched. He was a great runner, receiver and returner and was certainly a fan favorite.”

B-West will officially retire as a member of the Eagles on Wednesday and will be honored during the Eagles Week 16 game against the Redskins -- a perfect fit considering Westbrook grew up in the D.C. region. And his younger brother Byron played for Washington.

The former All-Pro running back played eight seasons with Philadelphia from 2002-09. He began as part of the Three-Headed Monster (along with Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter) that help the Eagles to the NFC Championship and began a return threat (just ask the Giants) during the 2003 season but when Westbrook became the featured back is really when the Eagles began to soar as he was named to the Pro Bowl during the Eagles' 2004 Super Bowl season.

He wound up his stint in Philly mentoring LeSean McCoy.

He is the franchise leader with 9,785 total yards from scrimmage, ranks second in yards rushing (5,995), and third in receptions (426) and total touchdowns (68). He is first among Eagles halfbacks in receptions, yards receiving (3,790) and touchdown catches (29). Westbrook also is first in club history in yards rushing (591) and total touchdowns (6) in the postseason.

Westbrook, a third-round selection out of Villanova in 2002, set the all-time record in NCAA Division I-AA with 9,885 all-purpose yards.

The 32-year-old last played in the NFL with the 2010 San Francisco 49ers.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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