Fans gathered to honor Narberth native and football visionary Bert Bell ahead of the Penn vs Yale game at Franklin Field last Friday, reports Mary Brown for Main Line Times & Suburban.

The evening began with a ceremony in the Li Family Auditorium, where Bell’s son, Upton Bell, spoke about his father’s legacy before the dedication of a new statue.

Penn’s Director of Athletics, Alanna Wren, unveiled the statue to a crowd along the Franklin Field concourse, celebrating Bell, a University of Pennsylvania alumnus and the 1933 founder of the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Bell, born De Benneville Bell in 1895, was known for his pioneering role in football. With financial backing from his wife, actress Frances Upton, Bell bought the Frankford Yellow Jackets, rebranding them as the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. Inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s National Recovery Act, he named the team after the American bald eagle, symbolizing resilience and perseverance.

Bell’s impact remains visible in Narberth, where a historic marker honors his contributions. As NFL commissioner from 1946 to 1959, Bell elevated the sport’s standards, leaving an indelible mark on professional football. His story, rooted in Philadelphia’s football culture, remains a testament to his enduring legacy in the NFL’s early years.

Read more about Bert Bell’s legacy in Main Line Times & Suburban.