Chester County’s Dick Vermeil, the former coach who resurrected the Eagles when he took over in 1976, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over the weekend, writes Mike Sielski for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The 85-year-old Vermeil is much calmer these days than when he was coaching the Eagles. Years ago, his efforts to become the best coach he could be nearly destroyed his mental health. He once said that he allowed passion to morph into obsession as football completely took over his life. After seven years with the Eagles and being adored by players and fans alike, he had to step down in January 1983, citing “burnout.”
“There was no balance in my emotions at that time,” he said.
He returned to coaching in 1997 as the coach of St. Louis Rams. Within three years, he and his team won the Super Bowl.
Today, Vermeil lives at his home in East Fallowfield Township with his wife Carol. The two bought the house and its 100-acre property in 1984 and are enjoying the property that has been keeping them busy ever since.
Read more about Dick Vermeil in The Philadelphia Inquirer.