A native of Hammond, Indiana and a lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears, Irv Cross hoped to play for their legendary coach George Halas. So when the Northwestern defensive back was selected by Philadelphia in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft, he had mixed emotions.
“I was pleased to be drafted by the defending world champions, but at the same time I was a little disappointed because I’d always wanted to play for the Bears,” said Cross, who is this Sunday's Honorary Alumni Captain presented by Santander. “I didn’t know a whole lot about the Eagles.