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| Former BYU Cougar Vai Sikahema laid down roots in Philadelphia after his playing days. |
Since there aren't any BYU Cougars currently part of the Philadelphia Eagles organization, a BYU-Eagles connections that parallels the BYU-New England Patriots connections wasn't planned. However, when working on the recent Steve Kaufusi piece, it started to become obvious that BYU and the Philadelphia Eagles have a lot of shared history. Therefore, a good contingent of BYU fans may feel a rooting interest in the Eagles. To help those Cougar fans, should someone question why they don't want Kyle Van Noy to win another Super Bowl, here are the historical connections between BYU and the Philadelphia Eagles.
To read the related New England Patriots Connections piece, click here.
Editor's Note: Tracking undrafted free agents who sign contracts, but don't make the final cut is impossible to track, so none of those players have been listed.
Andy Reid
Former BYU offensive lineman Andy Reid had the longest and most impactful stay in Philadelphia. As head coach from 1999-2012, he compiled a record of 130-93-1 and 10-9 in the playoffs. In the post-season, he reached one Super Bowl and four additional NFC Championship games.
Dallas Reynolds
Center Dallas Reynolds was on the Eagles active roster in 2009 and 2012. He didn't play a single game his rookie season. After two seasons on the practice squad, he made the final cut in 2012 and played in all 16 games with 14 starts.
Scott Young
The Eagles drafted offensive lineman Scott Young in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He was a member of the team from 2005-07. He played in a total of 13 games (12 in 2006 and 1 in 2007), but had zero starts.
Justin Ena
Not as an offensive lineman, but a linebacker, Justin Ena had two stints with the Philadelphia Eagles. First, in 2002-03, he played nine games as a rookie and made six tackles. His second season was a little more productive. He had 12 tackles while playing in all 16 games. Second, in 2005, Ena returned from the Tennessee Titans and made nine tackles in six games for the Eagles.
Reno Mahe
Reno Mahe was an Eagle for five seasons, 2003-07. During that time, he carried the ball 47 times for 196 yards (4.2 YPC), and he caught 33 passes for 230 yards (7.0 YPR). Where he really made an impact in his 55 games played was special teams. He returned 35 kicks for 749 yards (21.4 yard average). He best season came in 2006 with 30 returns for 667 yards. As a punt returner, he had 95 returns for 851 yards (9.0 yard average). His best season returning punts was 2005 when he led the league with a 12.8 yard average (21 for 269). He also made 20 tackles.
Lee Johnson
The final year of Lee Johnson's 18-year career was spent in Philadelphia. In 2002, he punted in two games. His 14 punts averaged 37.4 yards.
Chad Lewis
Tight end Chad Lewis was in Philadelphia every season from 1997-2005, but he did spend parts of 1998 and 1999 with the St. Louis Rams. As an Eagle, Lewis made 228 receptions for 2,349 yards and 23 touchdowns. As far as players on the field go, Lewis had the greatest impact of all the former Cougars.
Tim McTyer
Legendary cornerback Tim McTyer played his first two NFL season with the Eagles. From 1997-98, he played in 26 games. The NFL didn't keep official tackling statistics at this time, but he did make one interception in 1998 which he returned 18 yards. He also had half a sack that season.
Morris Unutoa
Offensive lineman Morris Unutoa played in all 48 Eagles games from 1996-98.
Ty Detmer
Ty Detmer had his most productive seasons in the NFL while playing in Philadelphia. From 1996-97, he completed 372 passes while attempting 645 for 4,478 yards and 22 touchdowns with 19 interceptions. In 1996, he took the Eagles to the playoffs.
Mohammed Elewonibi
In college, Mohammed Elewonibi won the Outland Trophy the year before Detmer won the Heisman Trophy. In the NFL, Elewonibi played in Philadelphia the year before Detmer did. In 1995, Elewonibi played six games for the Eagles. It was his last season in the NFL.
Kurt Gouveia
Linebacker spent one of his 13 seasons in the NFL with Philadelphia. In 1995, he started all 16 games and had one interception that he returned 20 yards.
Vai Sikahema
From 1992-93, Vai Sikahema was an Eagle. He played in all 32 games, but very sparingly on offense. He had just two rushes for two yards, and 13 receptions for 142 yards. All came in his first season. Like Mahe, Sikahema was a return specialist. He totaled 56 kickoff returns in his two seasons for 1,107 yards. He returned 73 punts for 778 yards, including one for an 87-yard touchdown. Sikahema retired after his two seasons with the Eagles.
Jim McMahon
While bouncing around the league after his days as a Chicago Bear, Jim McMahon spent the 1990-92 seasons in Philadelphia. He was the starter for much of the 1991 season, and played sparingly the other two seasons. In total, he played in 21 games. Passing stats: 215 completions, 363 attempts, 2,581 yards, 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions.
Steve Kaufusi
BYU defensive lineman Steve Kaufusi was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 12th round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He didn't play his first season, but saw action in all 32 games for the Eagles in 1989 and 1990.
John Kapele
After playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1960 and 1961, defensive end John Kapele went across the state of Pennsylvania and joined the Philadelphia Eagles midway through the 1962 season. He played in six games for the Eagles. He then retired from professional football.
Burle Robison
BYU may not be known for being a good football program in its early days, but Burle Robison was one player who made it to the NFL anyways. In 1935, he played seven games for the Philadelphia Eagles and caught one pass for 18 yards.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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