Even though his records have been broken, the indelible impression that Steve Van Buren left on the Philadelphia Eagles will never fade.
Van Buren turns 91 years young on Wednesday and the first Philadelphia Eagles player to ever be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame has been back in the spotlight this season thanks to Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy. For 66 years, Van Buren's franchise records for most rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns in a single season stood until McCoy eclipsed both marks in the December 18 win over the Jets.
According to Nate Pipitone, who is married to Van Buren's daughter, Lynare, Van Buren was in the hospital recovering from a slight stroke when the records were broken. The game was on television and Van Buren heard his name mentioned by the announcers. Van Buren asked Pipitone why they were talking about him. Pipitone explained and Van Buren's reaction was simple.
"Good," he said.
"Records were not important to him," Pipitone said. "He always rooted for the Eagles and he bleeds green. He never was worried about somebody breaking his record. He always rooted for somebody to break the record. We think that McCoy's accomplishments are fantastic. We believe that he had highlighted just how great Steve was because Steve actually did it in 10 games. For them not to be able to do it in 10 games 66 years later is a tribute to Steve. We were excited to see him back in the limelight, but he's a humble guy and always has been."
Van Buren is currently out of the hospital and living in a retirement home. Pipitone explained that Van Buren is in "good spirits," but still recovering from an infection that he incurred following the stroke. Van Buren will celebrate his birthday and many of the Eagles greats from that era including fellow Hall of Fame members Chuck Bednarik and Tommy McDonald are expected to attend.
The Eagles' top pick in the 1944 NFL Draft, Van Buren won the league rushing title four times and helped the Eagles win back-to-back championships in 1948 and 1949. He scored the only touchdown of the game in the 1948 title tilt and gained 196 rushing yards in the 1949 championship. The Eagles had never finished above fourth place before Van Buren's arrival.
Van Buren finished his career with 5,860 rushing yards and 77 touchdowns. Only Harold Carmichael has scored more touchdowns in franchise history. Van Buren's 205-yard performance in 1949 against the Steelers remains the franchise hallmark for a single game.
Van Buren was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. His portrait is one of four former players that dominates the inside of the NovaCare Complex auditorium.
"He was proud to be the first Philadelphia Eagle player to ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame," Pipitone said. "He was very proud that he played his entire professional career for the Eagles. He thinks the Philadelphia fans are the only fans that exist."
Nicknamed "Wham Bam" for his physical running style, Van Buren relished being the focal point for the opposing defense. Pipitone recounted tales from over the years that Van Buren's teammates had shared with him.
"He was unstoppable on the field and they were amazed he could do what he could do because the other team members used to come out from the other teams and say, 'We don't care if we win or lose today, Van Buren, but we're going to kill you,'" Pipitone said.
But that's the only time Van Buren wanted to be in the spotlight.
"Very few athletes gave the other team members the limelight as Steve would do," former offensive tackle Al Wistert told Pipitone.
It's only fitting that Van Buren is happy to see his records fall into the hands of another team-first player in McCoy.
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