Eagles legend Billy Ray “Bullet” Barnes, a three-time Pro Bowl halfback and hero of Philadelphia’s 1960 NFL Championship—the team’s last title before the Super Bowl era—has passed away at the age of 90. His death on December 31, 2025, in Landis, North Carolina, closes a cherished chapter of American grit and glory, prompting tributes from the Eagles, Wake Forest University, and the community that revered him. Barnes’s legacy extends beyond his nine-year NFL career to his multi-sport stardom and the pivotal role he played in one of the most famous upsets in football history.
Story Highlights
- Billy Ray Barnes, three-time Pro Bowl halfback, died December 31, 2025, in Landis, North Carolina, at age 90.
- Key contributor to Eagles’ 1960 NFL Championship upset over Vince Lombardi’s Packers, with pivotal runs, receptions, and blocks on the winning drive.
- Multi-sport star at Wake Forest: first ACC 1,000-yard rusher in 1956 and final out in 1955 College World Series baseball title.
- Nine-year NFL career with 3,421 rushing yards, 1,786 receiving yards, 38 touchdowns; later coached in NFL.
- Family and Eagles honor his lifelong friendships and love for Philadelphia.
College Stardom at Wake Forest
Billy Ray Barnes starred at Wake Forest University in both football and baseball. In 1955, he recorded the final out in Wake Forest’s College World Series championship victory. The next year, 1956, Barnes led the ACC in rushing with 1,010 yards, becoming the conference’s first player to exceed 1,000 yards in a season. He earned ACC Player of the Year honors and Look Magazine All-America recognition. These feats from his North Carolina roots showcased raw talent and determination in an era of unyielding competition.
Eagles legend Billy Ray Barnes dead at 90 https://t.co/Yvt2kGoCaT pic.twitter.com/a7zh0E3KzA
— New York Post (@nypost) January 3, 2026
NFL Career and 1960 Championship Glory
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Barnes in the second round of the 1957 NFL Draft on November 27, 1956. As a rookie in 1957, he led the team in both rushing and receiving, earning Pro Bowl nods each year from 1957 to 1959. His pinnacle came on December 26, 1960, in the NFL Championship at Franklin Field. Barnes rushed 13 times for 42 yards, including a crucial 9-yard run and 13-yard reception, plus a key block on the winning touchdown in the Eagles’ 17-13 upset over the Green Bay Packers.
That victory marked Philadelphia’s last NFL title before the Super Bowl era, a triumph of underdogs against Vince Lombardi’s dynasty in frigid conditions. Barnes later played for the Washington Redskins (1962-1963) and Minnesota Vikings (1965-1966), amassing career totals of 3,421 rushing yards, 1,786 receiving yards, and 38 touchdowns over nine seasons.
Post-Career Legacy and Tributes
After retiring, Barnes served as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Wake Forest inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1975. In 2010, he attended the 50-year reunion of the 1960 Eagles championship team, preserving bonds from that historic squad. His death on December 31, 2025, in Landis, North Carolina, prompted swift tributes as one of the last living links to Philadelphia’s pre-merger glory.
The Philadelphia Eagles issued a statement: “Eagles mourn the passing of Billy Ray Barnes. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Barnes was a member of the 1960 NFL Championship Team.” His daughter, Billi Barnes Akins, shared: “He was 90 and had a fabulous life… The biggest thing was the friendships… He enjoyed everything about Philadelphia.” Wake Forest athletics remembered him as a legend who created a lasting legacy in football and baseball.
Announcements followed quickly: Salisbury Post obituary on January 2, 2026; Philadelphia Inquirer and Eagles statement on January 3. Eagles fans, Wake Forest alumni, and his North Carolina community mourn a multi-sport icon whose contributions elevated sports heritage. His passing renews focus on the 1960 team’s enduring story amid an aging roster, underscoring the value of preserving football’s golden age for future generations.
Watch the report: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES BILLY RAY BARNES Highlights
Sources:
- Eagles mourn the passing of Billy Ray Barnes
- Billy Ray Barnes, champ with 1960 Eagles, dies at 90 – National Football Post
- Eagles legend Billy Ray Barnes dead at 90 | New York Post
