1953 Philadelphia Eagles season

1953 Philadelphia Eagles season
Head coach	Jim Trimble
Owner	Happy Hundred
Home field	Shibe Park
Results
Record	7–4–1
Division place	2nd NFL Eastern
Playoff finish	did not qualify

The 1953 Philadelphia Eagles season was their 21st in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 7–5, going 7–4–1.^[1] The team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

Off Season

At the end of the 1952 season, 2-year player Bud Grant is offered a pay raise in his contract. He chooses to play football in the CFL(Canadian Football League) instead. He would have a career worthy of being named to the CFL's Hall of Fame as a player. Later on he would make the Pro Football Hall of Fame as coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

The Eagles held training camp at Hershey Park Stadium in Hershey, PA for the 3rd strait year.

Matt Guokas, Sr. is hire to be the PA announcer for the Eaagles. Guokas played basketball for Saint Joseph's Hawks in college and the Philadelphia Warriors in the NBA. After losing his right leg in an automobile accident, Guokas turned to broadcasting, and he served as an announcer for the N Philadelphia Eagles for 32 yea,rs from 1953 to 1985.

NFL Draft

The 1953 NFL Draft was held on January 22, 1953. There was 30 rounds in the draft with 12 teams picking. The San Francisco 49ers received this year's Lottery bonus pick. With this pick they chose Harry Babcock an End out of University of Georgia.

The 1952 expansion team Dallas Texans (NFL) folded during the 1952 season and then became the Baltimore Colts on January 23, 1953. The Colts had the number 1 pick and choose Heisman Trophy winner Billy Vessels ^[2] an Halfback out of University of Oklahoma.

With a 7–5 record in 1952 the Eagles got the 7th, 8th or 9th pick in the 30 rounds. With trading away their 1st round pick the Eagles 1st selection was the 7th pick in the 2nd round, 20th overall, they chose Al Conway a Back out of Army and William Jewell College. He did not play due to injury and ended up as an official in the American Football League and an official in the NFL for 28 years.

Player Selections

The table shows the Eagles selections and what picks they had that were traded away and the team that ended up with that pick. It is possible the Eagles' pick ended up with this team via another team that the Eagles made a trade with. Not shown are acquired picks that the Eagles traded away.

= Pro Bowler ^[3]

= Hall of Famer

Rd	Pick	Player	Position	School	Rd	Pick	Player	Position	School
1	7	^{Pick Traded to Los Angeles Rams}			2	20	Al Conway	Back	Army and William Jewell College
3	34	Don Johnson	Back	California	4	45	George Mrkonic	Guard	Kansas
5	56	Eddie Bell	End	Pennsylvania	5	61	Rex Smith ^{(pick from Detroit Lions)}	End	Illinois
6	70	^{Pick Traded to Chicago Cardinals}			7	76	Jack Erickson ^{pick from Chicago Cardinals}	Tackle	Army/Beloit
7	81	Ray Malavasi	Guard	Army/Mississippi State	8	92	Jess Richardson	Tackle	Alabama
9	106	Roger French	End	Minnesota	10	117	Tom Brookshier	Back	Colorado
11	128	Bob Pollard	Back	Penn State	12	142	George Porter	Tackle	San Jose State
13	153	Ray Westort	Guard	Utah	14	164	Roy Bailey	Back	Tulane
15	178	Willie Irvin	End	Florida A&M	16	189	Bud Wallace	Back	North Carolina
17	200	Tony Rados	Back	Penn State	18	214	Marv Trauth	Tackle	Mississippi
19	225	Pete Bachouros	Back	Illinois	20	236	Rollie Arns	Center	Iowa State
21	250	Hal Brooks	Tackle	Washington & Lee	22	261	Laurie LeClaire	Back	Michigan
23	272	Jeff Knox	End	Georgia Tech	24	286	Eli Romero	Back	Wichita State
25	297	Johnny Michels	Guard	Tennessee	26	308	Harvey Achziger	Tackle	Colorado State
27	322	Earl Hersh	Back	West Chester	28	333	Joe Gratson	Back	Penn State
29	344	Ralph Paolone	Back	Kentucky	30	357	Chuck Hren	Back	Northwestern

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result
1	September 27, 1953	at San Francisco 49ers	L 31–21
2	October 2, 1953	Washington Redskins	T 21–21
3	October 10, 1953	at Cleveland Browns	L 37–13
4	October 17, 1953	Pittsburgh Steelers	W 23–7
5	October 25, 1953	at Chicago Cardinals	W 56–17
6	November 1, 1953	at Pittsburgh Steelers	W 35–7
7	November 8, 1953	New York Giants	W 30–7
8	November 15, 1953	Baltimore Colts	W 45–14
9	November 21, 1953	Chicago Cardinals	W 38–0
10	November 29, 1953	at New York Giants	L 37–28
11	December 6, 1953	at Washington Redskins	L 10–0
12	December 13, 1953	Cleveland Browns	W 42–27

Game Recaps

Week 1 @ San Francisco

Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles 21 (0–1–0) at San Francisco 49ers 31 (1–0–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Philadelphia Eagles	7	0	7	7	21
San Francisco 49ers	14	3	7	7	31

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: September 27, 1953
Game time: ? PM PST
Game attendance: 27,819
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st 49ers – Joe Arenas 18-yard pass from Y.A. Tittle (Gordie Soltau kick) Eagles – Adrian Burk 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) 49ers – Y.A. Tittle 1-yard rush (Gordie Soltau kick) 2nd 49ers – Gordie Soltau 39-yard field goal 3rd 49ers – Billy Wilson 39-yard pass from Y.A. Tittle (Gordie Soltau kick) Eagles – Bobby Walston 3-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick) 4th 49ers – Billy Wilson 37-yard pass from Y.A. Tittle (Gordie Soltau kick) Eagles – Pete Pihos 10-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Al Pollard kick)

Game information

1st

49ers – Joe Arenas 18-yard pass from Y.A. Tittle (Gordie Soltau kick)
Eagles – Adrian Burk 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick)
49ers – Y.A. Tittle 1-yard rush (Gordie Soltau kick)

2nd

49ers – Gordie Soltau 39-yard field goal

3rd

49ers – Billy Wilson 39-yard pass from Y.A. Tittle (Gordie Soltau kick)
Eagles – Bobby Walston 3-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick)

4th

49ers – Billy Wilson 37-yard pass from Y.A. Tittle (Gordie Soltau kick)
Eagles – Pete Pihos 10-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Al Pollard kick)

Week 2 vs Washington

The Eagles inability to hold onto the ball allows the Washington Redskins to tie them at 21 – 21. The Eagles allowed 4 interceptions and would lose 1 fumble as they allowed Washington to gain 182 yards on 9 completions. The Eagles also hurt their cause by having 10 penalties for 99 yards called against them.

Week 2:Philadelphia Eagles 21 (0–1–1) vs Washington Redskins 21 (1–1–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Washington Redskins	7	7	7	0	21
Philadelphia Eagles	7	7	0	7	21

at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, PA

Date: October 2, 1953
Game time: ? PM EST
Game attendance: 19,099
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st Eagles – Pete Pihos 6-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 0 Redskins – Laurie Niemi unknown-yard fumble return (Bill Dudley kick) Tied 7 – 7 2nd Eagles – Pete Pihos 10-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – 7 Redskins – Hugh Taylor 24-yard pass from Jack Scarbath (Bill Dudley kick) Tied 14 – 14 3rd Redskins – Hugh Taylor 61-yard pass from Jack Scarbath (Bill Dudley kick) Wash 21 – 14 4th Eagles – Adrian Burk 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Tied 21 – 21

Game information

1st

Eagles – Pete Pihos 6-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 0
Redskins – Laurie Niemi unknown-yard fumble return (Bill Dudley kick) Tied 7 – 7

2nd

Eagles – Pete Pihos 10-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – 7
Redskins – Hugh Taylor 24-yard pass from Jack Scarbath (Bill Dudley kick) Tied 14 – 14

3rd

Redskins – Hugh Taylor 61-yard pass from Jack Scarbath (Bill Dudley kick) Wash 21 – 14

4th

Eagles – Adrian Burk 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Tied 21 – 21

Week 3 @ Cleveland Browns

Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles 13 (0–2–1) at Cleveland Browns 37 (3–0–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Philadelphia Eagles	6	0	7	0	13
Cleveland Browns	6	7	14	10	37

at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio

Date: October 10, 1953
Game time: ? PM EST
Game attendance: 45,802
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st Browns – Lou Groza 20-yard field goal Cleve 3 – 0 Browns – Lou Groza 16-yard field goal Cleve 6 – 0 Eagles – Frank Ziegler 1-yard rush (kick failed) Tied 6 – 6 2nd Browns – Chick Jagade 14-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 13 – 6 Browns – Dante Lavelli 25-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 20 – 6 3rd Eagles – Adrian Burk 32-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – 13 Browns – Chick Jagade 13-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 27 – 13 4th Browns – Lou Groza 27-yard field goal Cleve 30 – 13 Browns – Jerry Helluin 42-yard fumble return (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 37 – 13

Game information

1st

Browns – Lou Groza 20-yard field goal Cleve 3 – 0
Browns – Lou Groza 16-yard field goal Cleve 6 – 0
Eagles – Frank Ziegler 1-yard rush (kick failed) Tied 6 – 6

2nd

Browns – Chick Jagade 14-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 13 – 6
Browns – Dante Lavelli 25-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 20 – 6

3rd

Eagles – Adrian Burk 32-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – 13
Browns – Chick Jagade 13-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 27 – 13

4th

Browns – Lou Groza 27-yard field goal Cleve 30 – 13
Browns – Jerry Helluin 42-yard fumble return (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 37 – 13

Week 4 vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 4: Philadelphia Eagles 26 (1–2–1) vs Pittsburgh Steelers 7 (2–2–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Pittsburgh Steelers	0	0	7	0	7
Philadelphia Eagles	0	0	6	17	23

at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, PA

Date: October 17, 1953
Game time: ? PM EST
Game attendance: 18,681
Recap and Stats

Game information
3rd Eagles – Pete Pihos 28-yard pass from Adrian Burk (kick failed) Phila 6 – 0 Steelers – Ray Mathews 23-yard pass from Jim Finks (Nick Bolkovac kick) Pitt 7 – 6 4th Eagles – Bobby Walston 11-yard field goal Phila 9 – 7 Eagles – Hal Giancanelli 16-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 16 – 7 Eagles – Frank Ziegler 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 23 – 7

Game information

3rd

Eagles – Pete Pihos 28-yard pass from Adrian Burk (kick failed) Phila 6 – 0
Steelers – Ray Mathews 23-yard pass from Jim Finks (Nick Bolkovac kick) Pitt 7 – 6

4th

Eagles – Bobby Walston 11-yard field goal Phila 9 – 7
Eagles – Hal Giancanelli 16-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 16 – 7
Eagles – Frank Ziegler 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 23 – 7

Week 5 @ Chicago Cardinals

Week 5:Philadelphia Eagles 56 (4–6–0) at Chicago Cardinals 17 (6–4–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Philadelphia Eagles	7	21	7	21	56
Chicago Cardinals	3	0	0	14	17

at Comiskey Park, Chicago,ILL

Date: October 25, 1953
Game time: ? PM CST
Game attendance: 22,064
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st Cardinals – Pat Summerall 28-yard field goal Chi C 3 – 0 Eagles – Toy Ledbetter 34-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 3 2nd Eagles – Jim Parmer 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – 3 Eagles – Frank Ziegler 52-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 21 – 3 Eagles – Pete Pihos 6-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 28 – 3 3rd Eagles – Hal Giancanelli 28-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 35 – 3 4th Cardinals – Charlie Trippi 8-yard pass from Jim Root (Pat Summerall kick) Phila 35 – 10 Cardinals – Billy Cross 51-yard pass from Jim Root (Pat Summerall kick) Phila 35 – 17 Eagles – Jim Parmer 7-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 42 – 17 Eagles – Tom Scott unknown-yard fumble return (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 49 – 17 Eagles – John Brewer 9-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 56 – 17

Game information

1st

Cardinals – Pat Summerall 28-yard field goal Chi C 3 – 0
Eagles – Toy Ledbetter 34-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 3

2nd

Eagles – Jim Parmer 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – 3
Eagles – Frank Ziegler 52-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 21 – 3
Eagles – Pete Pihos 6-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 28 – 3

3rd

Eagles – Hal Giancanelli 28-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 35 – 3

4th

Cardinals – Charlie Trippi 8-yard pass from Jim Root (Pat Summerall kick) Phila 35 – 10
Cardinals – Billy Cross 51-yard pass from Jim Root (Pat Summerall kick) Phila 35 – 17
Eagles – Jim Parmer 7-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 42 – 17
Eagles – Tom Scott unknown-yard fumble return (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 49 – 17
Eagles – John Brewer 9-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 56 – 17

Week 6 @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 6:Philadelphia Eagles 35 (3–2–1) at Pittsburgh Steelers 7 (3–3–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Philadelphia Eagles	14	7	0	14	35
Pittsburgh Steelers	0	7	0	0	7

at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Date: November 1, 1953
Game time: ? PM EST
Game attendance: 27,547
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st Eagles Hal Giancanelli 7-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 0 Eagles Jerry Williams 48-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – 0 2nd Eagles Bobby Walston 21-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 21 – 0 Steelers Ray Mathews 11-yard pass from Jim Finks (Nick Bolkovac kick) Phila 21 – 7 4th Eagles Pete Pihos 26-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 28 – 7 Eagles Hal Giancanelli 8-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 35 – 7

Game information

1st

Eagles Hal Giancanelli 7-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 0
Eagles Jerry Williams 48-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – 0

2nd

Eagles Bobby Walston 21-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 21 – 0
Steelers Ray Mathews 11-yard pass from Jim Finks (Nick Bolkovac kick) Phila 21 – 7

4th

Eagles Pete Pihos 26-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 28 – 7
Eagles Hal Giancanelli 8-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 35 – 7

Week 7 vs New York Giants

Week 7: Philadelphia Eagles 30 (4–2–0) vs New York Giants 7 (2–5–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
New York Giants	0	0	0	7	7
Philadelphia Eagles	3	14	6	7	30

at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, PA

Date: November 8, 1953
Game time: ? PM EST
Game attendance: 24,331
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st Eagles – Bobby Walston 15-yard field goal Phila 0 – 3 2nd Eagles – Bobby Walston 62-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 10 Eagles – Pete Pihos 32-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 3rd Eagles – Pete Pihos 8-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (kick failed) Phila 0 – 23 4th Eagles – Bobby Walston 13-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 30 Giants – Frank Gifford 32-yard pass from Charlie Conerly (Frank Gifford kick) Phila 7 – 30

Game information

1st

Eagles – Bobby Walston 15-yard field goal Phila 0 – 3

2nd

Eagles – Bobby Walston 62-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 10
Eagles – Pete Pihos 32-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 –

3rd

Eagles – Pete Pihos 8-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (kick failed) Phila 0 – 23

4th

Eagles – Bobby Walston 13-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 30
Giants – Frank Gifford 32-yard pass from Charlie Conerly (Frank Gifford kick) Phila 7 – 30

Week 8 vs Baltimore Colts

Week 8: Philadelphia Eagles 45 (5–2–1) at Baltimore Colts 14 (3–5–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Baltimore Colts	7	0	0	7	14
Philadelphia Eagles	7	14	0	24	45

at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, PA

Date: November 15, 1953
Game time: ? PM EST
Game attendance: 27,813
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st Colts – Buddy Young 104-yard kickoff return (Buck McPhail kick) Balti 7 – 0 Eagles – Hal Giancanelli 47-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Tied 7 – 7 2nd Eagles – Pete Pihos 56-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 14 Eagles – Don Johnson 24-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 21 4th Eagles – Don Johnson 3-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 28 Eagles – Don Johnson 66-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 35 Eagles – Bobby Walston 22-yard field goal Phila 7 – 38 Colts – Bert Rechichar 66-yard pass from Jack Del Bello (Buck McPhail kick) Phila 14 – 38 Eagles – Chuck Bednarik 26-yard interception return (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – 45

Game information

1st

Colts – Buddy Young 104-yard kickoff return (Buck McPhail kick) Balti 7 – 0
Eagles – Hal Giancanelli 47-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Tied 7 – 7

2nd

Eagles – Pete Pihos 56-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 14
Eagles – Don Johnson 24-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 21

4th

Eagles – Don Johnson 3-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 28
Eagles – Don Johnson 66-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – 35
Eagles – Bobby Walston 22-yard field goal Phila 7 – 38
Colts – Bert Rechichar 66-yard pass from Jack Del Bello (Buck McPhail kick) Phila 14 – 38
Eagles – Chuck Bednarik 26-yard interception return (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – 45

Week 9 vs Chicago Cardinals

Week 9: Philadelphia Eagles 38 (6–2–1) vs Chicago Cardinals (0–8–1) 0 (4–3–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Chicago Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0
Philadelphia Eagles	14	10	7	7	38

at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, PA

Date: November 21, 1953
Game time: ? PM EST
Game attendance: 19,402
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st Eagles – Frank Ziegler 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 7 Eagles – Hal Giancanelli 37-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 14 2nd Eagles – Bobby Walston 27-yard field goal Phila 0 – 17 Eagles – Jerry Williams 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 24 3rd Eagles – Jerry Williams 4-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 31 4th Eagles – Don Johnson 2-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 38

Game information

1st

Eagles – Frank Ziegler 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 7
Eagles – Hal Giancanelli 37-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 14

2nd

Eagles – Bobby Walston 27-yard field goal Phila 0 – 17
Eagles – Jerry Williams 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 24

3rd

Eagles – Jerry Williams 4-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 31

4th

Eagles – Don Johnson 2-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 0 – 38

Week 10 @ New York Giants

Week 10: Philadelphia Eagles 28 (6–3–1) at New York Giants 37 (7–3–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Philadelphia Eagles	7	7	14	0	28
New York Giants	7	7	13	10	37

at Polo Grounds, New York, NY

Date: November 29, 1953
Game time: ? PM EST
Game attendance: 20,294
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st Giants – Frank Gifford 8-yard rush (Randy Clay kick) NY G 0 – 7 Eagles – Frank Ziegler 2-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) NY G 7 – 7 2nd Giants – Kyle Rote 1-yard rush (Randy Clay kick) NY G 7 – 14 Eagles – Jerry Williams 33-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) NY G 14 – 14 3rd Giants – Kyle Rote 30-yard pass from Charlie Conerly (Randy Clay kick) NY G 14 – 21 Eagles – Don Johnson 21-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) NY G 21 – 21 Giants – Kyle Rote 25-yard pass from Charlie Conerly (kick failed) NY G 21 – 27 Eagles – Don Johnson 63-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) NY G 28 – 27 4th Giants – Eddie Price 31-yard pass from Charlie Conerly (Randy Clay kick) NY G 28 – 34 Giants – Randy Clay 17-yard field goal NY G 28 – 37

Game information

1st

Giants – Frank Gifford 8-yard rush (Randy Clay kick) NY G 0 – 7
Eagles – Frank Ziegler 2-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) NY G 7 – 7

2nd

Giants – Kyle Rote 1-yard rush (Randy Clay kick) NY G 7 – 14
Eagles – Jerry Williams 33-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) NY G 14 – 14

3rd

Giants – Kyle Rote 30-yard pass from Charlie Conerly (Randy Clay kick) NY G 14 – 21
Eagles – Don Johnson 21-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) NY G 21 – 21
Giants – Kyle Rote 25-yard pass from Charlie Conerly (kick failed) NY G 21 – 27
Eagles – Don Johnson 63-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) NY G 28 – 27

4th

Giants – Eddie Price 31-yard pass from Charlie Conerly (Randy Clay kick) NY G 28 – 34
Giants – Randy Clay 17-yard field goal NY G 28 – 37

Week 11 @ Washington Redskins

Week 11:Philadelphia Eagles 21 (6–4–1) at Washington Redskins 21 (6–4–1) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Philadelphia Eagles	0	0	0	0	0
Washington Redskins	0	0	0	10	10

at Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.

Date: December 6, 1953
Game time: ? PM EST
Game attendance: 21,579
Recap and Stats

Game information
4th Redskins – Bill Dudley 15-yard field goal Wash 3 – 0 Redskins – Harry Dowda 23-yard interception return (Bill Dudley kick) Wash 10 – 0

Game information

4th

Redskins – Bill Dudley 15-yard field goal Wash 3 – 0
Redskins – Harry Dowda 23-yard interception return (Bill Dudley kick) Wash 10 – 0

Week 12 vs Cleveland Browns

The Eagles give the Cleveland Browns their only loss of the regular season in the final week of the season. Cleveland would have 3 turn overs during the game.

Week 12: Philadelphia Eagles 42 (7–4–1) vs Cleveland Browns 27 (11–1–0) – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cleveland Browns	10	3	7	7	27
Philadelphia Eagles	0	14	14	14	42

at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Date: December 13, 1953
Game time: ? pm EST
Game attendance: 38,654
Recap and Stats

Game information
1st Browns – Ray Renfro 11-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 7 – Phila 0 Browns Lou Groza 19-yard field goal Cleve 10 – Phila 0 2nd Eagles Pete Pihos 15-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 10 – Phila 7 Eagles Bobby Thomason 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 10 – Phila 14 Browns Lou Groza 24-yard field goal Cleve 13 – Phila 14 3rd Browns Ken Carpenter 8-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 14 Eagles Toy Ledbetter 14-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 21 Eagles Don Johnson 2-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 28 4th Eagles Toy Ledbetter 3-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 35 Eagles Bobby Walston 17-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 42 Browns Dante Lavelli 17-yard pass from George Ratterman (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 27 – Phila 42

Game information

1st

Browns – Ray Renfro 11-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 7 – Phila 0
Browns Lou Groza 19-yard field goal Cleve 10 – Phila 0

2nd

Eagles Pete Pihos 15-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 10 – Phila 7
Eagles Bobby Thomason 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 10 – Phila 14
Browns Lou Groza 24-yard field goal Cleve 13 – Phila 14

3rd

Browns Ken Carpenter 8-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 14
Eagles Toy Ledbetter 14-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 21
Eagles Don Johnson 2-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 28

4th

Eagles Toy Ledbetter 3-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 35
Eagles Bobby Walston 17-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 20 – Phila 42
Browns Dante Lavelli 17-yard pass from George Ratterman (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 27 – Phila 42

Standings

NFL Eastern Conference
	W	L	T	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Cleveland Browns	11	1	0	.917	9–1	348	162	L1
Philadelphia Eagles	7	4	1	.636	6–3–1	352	215	W1
Washington Redskins	6	5	1	.545	6–3–1	208	215	L1
Pittsburgh Steelers	6	6	0	.500	5–5	211	263	W2
New York Giants	3	9	0	.250	3–7	179	277	L2
Chicago Cardinals	1	10	1	.091	0–10	190	337	W1

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Playoffs

With a record of 7–4–1 the Eagles finish behind Cleveland and fail to make the playoffs. The Detroit Lions won the National Division and played the Cleveland Browns in the 1953 NFL Championship Game.

1953 Roster

(All time List of Philadelphia Eagles players in franchise history)

= 1953 Pro Bowl ^[4]

= Hall of Famer

+ = Pro Bowl starter

NO.	Player	AGE	POS	GP	GS	WT	HT	YRS	College
	Jim Trimble	35	COACH	_{1953 record} 7–3–1	_{NFL-Eagles Lifetime} 14–9–1			2nd	Indiana University
60	Chuck Bednarik +	28	C-LB	12	0	233	6–3	4	Pennsylvania
36	John Brewer	25	FB	6	0	230	6–4	1	Louisville
45	Tom Brookshier	22	DB	11	0	196	6–0	Rookie	Colorado
10	Adrian Burk	26	QB	10	4	190	6–2	3	Baylor
33	Russ Craft	34	DB-HB	12	0	178	5–9	7	Alabama
53	Ken Farragut	25	C-LB	12	0	240	6–4	2	Mississippi
14	Bob Gambold	24	QB	3	0	215	6–4	Rookie	Washington State
27	Hal Giancanelli	24	HB	12	0	182	5–10	Rookie	Loyola Marymount
88	Bob Hudson	23	DB-LB-E	12	0	225	6–4	2	Clemson
81	Willie Irvin	23	DE-E	3	0	203	6–3	Rookie	Florida A&M
78	Mike Jarmoluk	31	DT-T-MG	12	0	232	6–5	7	Temple
40	Don Johnson	22	HB	12	0	187	6–0	Rookie	California
76	Bucko Kilroy	32	G-MG-T-DT	12	0	243	6–2	10	Temple
25	Toy Ledbetter	26	HB	10	0	198	5–10	3	Oklahoma State
67	John Magee	30	G	12	0	220	5–10	5	_{La-Lafayette and Rice}
61	John Michels	22	G	11	0	200	5–11	Rookie	Tennessee
72	George Mrkonic	24	T-DT	10	0	225	6–2	Rookie	Kansas
68	Maury Nipp	23	G	12	0	219	6–0	1	Loyola Marymount
43	Jim Parmer	27	FB-HB	12	0	193	6–0	5	Oklahoma State
35	Pete Pihos +	30	E-DE	12	0	210	6–1	6	Indiana
21	Al Pollard	25	HB-FB	12	0	196	6–0	2	_{Army and Loyola Marymount}
65	Jess Richardson	23	DT	12	0	261	6–2	Rookie	Alabama
52	Wayne Robinson	23	LB-C	11	0	225	6–2	1	Minnesota
85	Bob Schnelker	25	E	8	0	214	6–3	Rookie	Bowling Green
82	Tom Scott	23	DE-LB	12	0	218	6–2	Rookie	Virginia
79	Vic Sears	35	T-DT	12	0	223	6–3	12	Oregon State
73	Lum Snyder	23	T	12	0	228	6–5	1	Georgia Tech
44	Bob Stringer	24	LB-FB	12	0	197	6–1	1	Tulsa
11	Bobby Thomason	25	QB	12	8	196	6–1	4	VMI
31	Ebert Van Buren	29	DB-LB-FB-HB	12	0	210	6–2	2	LSU
83	Bobby Walston	25	E-HB-K	12	0	190	6–0	2	Georgia
86	Norm Willey	26	DE-G-E	12	0	224	6–2	3	Marshall
49	Jerry Williams	30	DB-HB	12	0	175	5–10	4	_{Idaho and Washington State}
75	Frank Wydo	29	T-DT	12	12	225	6–4	6	Cornell
41	Frank Ziegler	30	HB-DB	12	0	175	5–11	4	Georgia Tech
	35 Players Team Average			12

Jerry Williams will become Head coach of Eagles for the 1969 season

Post Season

Philadelphia finished second in last 2 seasons to the Cleveland Browns, with that Trimble is awarded a three-year contract after the team's second straight runnerup finish in 1953.

Awards and Honors

Pro Bowl

The Eagles placed 6 players on the 1953 Pro Bowl team. Chuck Bednarik is named MVP of the Pro Bowl.

Chuck Bednarik (Center – Linebacker)

Ken Farragut (Center – Linebacker)

Bucko Kilroy (Lineman)

Pete Pihos (End)

Lum Snyder (Tackle)

Bobby Thomason (Quarterback)

League Leaders^[5]

Bobby Thomason finished 2nd in Passing Attempts and Passing Yards to George Blanda

Bobby Thomason finished 3rd in Pass Completions

Pete Pihos leads league in Receptions, Receiving Yards and Receiving TDs

Chuck Bednarik ties for lead in Interceptions Returned for TD

References

↑ 1953 Philadelphia Eagles
↑ Billy Vessels, 1952 Heisman Trophy winner ^{"Heisman Trophy". Archived from the original on June 25, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2008.}
↑ Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro-Bowl at any time in their career.
↑ Players are identified as a 1953 All-Star.
↑ http://www.databasefootball.com/leagues/leagueyear.htm?lg=nfl&yr=1953 1953 League Leaders

1953 NFL season

Eastern Conference	CHI Cardinals	Philadelphia	Baltimore	Green Bay	Western Conference
	Cleveland	Pittsburgh	CHI Bears	Los Angeles
	New York	Washington	Detroit	San Francisco

Philadelphia Eagles seasons

1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–1966) or Super Bowl (1967–present) victory Italics indicates NFL Championship (1920–1966) or Super Bowl (1967–present) appearance

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