University of Virginia Library

Farrell Gets Try With Eagles

By JOHN MARKON

Cavalier offensive lineman
Bill Farrell joined teammate
Dave Sullivan in the ranks of
University fourth-year men
interested in pro football
careers as the 6-4, 240 lb.
native of Bethlehem, Pa. was
signed to a contract earlier in
the week by the NFL
Philadelphia Eagles.

Farrell was able to compare
offers from four interested
clubs before finally deciding on
the Eagles. Wahoo offensive
line coach Turnley Todd
indicated yesterday that
"money and Bill's chances of
making the team and playing"
were the key considerations.

Unlike Sullivan, a 15 round
selection of the Cleveland
Browns, Farrell was not
drafted. Mr. Todd explained
this by alluding to "some sort
of screw-up in the drafting
procedure. A lot of clubs were
interested in Bill but they all
originally thought he had a
serious injury. This isn't the
case."

Farrell will be tried at guard
by the Eagles, the NFL team
nearest Farrell's hometown. In
NFL play last season the Eagles
won only two of 14 games and
dismissed both general manager
Pete Retzlaff and head coach
Ed Khyat. The new Eagle
coach is Mike McCormick, an
ex-Washington Redskins
assistant.

"Farrell is one of the most
capable linemen I've ever
coached," remarked Mr. Todd,
"and, certainly one of the most
talented. He's very coachable
and I hate to see him go."

In addition to his
three-letter University career in
football, Farrell won two
wrestling letters as a
heavyweight.