Doug Eggers obit

South Dakota lost one of its legendary football players this week

 

He was not on the list.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota has lost one of its legendary football players this week.

Doug Eggers, who grew up in Wagner, played five seasons in the NFL, including along side Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts.

Eggers died this week at the age of 93.

Eggers graduated from South Dakota State University 1952, where he was a standout linebacker for the Jackrabbits.

After a stint in the Army, Eggers signed with the Baltimore Colts in January 1954.

He played with Buzz Nutter, who was the center back then. The two became close friends.

KELOLAND News talked with Buzz’s son Brian, who remembers his dad and Eggers hunting in South Dakota.

“The Eggers owned a lot of land in South Dakota and we would go out there every year to go pheasant hunting,” Brian Nutter said. “It was the greatest experience of my life, we had the best times, I probably went for 20 some years.”

Eggers played in 46 games for the Colts. The 6-foot, 213-pound linebacker is credited with four career pass interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.

Nutter says he remembers his dad telling him stories about how tough Eggers was as a linebacker.

“You’d love to meet him in a bar, but I don’t think I’d love to meet him on the football field, because he was hard, he was a man,” Nutter said.

In an interview with Ghosts of 33rd Street, Eggers talked about the year Johnny Unitas joined the team.

“He struggled a little bit the first part of that season that was in ’55,” Eggers said.

But Eggers says Unitas turned it around the following year thanks to another legendary quarterback, Otto Graham.

“Otto Graham gave him tips like put air under the ball, keep the receiver running and he passed on his knowledge to John,” Eggers said.

After pro football, Eggers went on to own an equipment company, but those who played football with him say he was a like a wrecking machine.

“He was tough as nails, because that was the way he was brought up, you know they were farmers and had a tough life and it just made them hard people, but he was a super gentleman, super,” Nutter said.

After playing with the Colts, Eggers went onto play with the Chicago Cardinals for a short time.

Douglas Boyd Eggers, a devoted family man, proud veteran, and accomplished athlete and businessman, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2025, at the age of 94. Doug was born on September 21, 1930 in Wagner, South Dakota. Doug led a remarkable life defined by integrity, generosity, and a quiet strength that left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Doug graduated from South Dakota State University in 1952, where he was a standout on the football field and a proud member of the SDSU Jackrabbits. Shortly after graduation, he served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954, continuing his football career with the Army football team. In 1954, Doug was drafted into the NFL by the Baltimore Colts, where he played as a linebacker until 1957. He then went on to play for the Chicago Cardinals during the 1958 season. On February 16, 1957, Doug married Carol Finegan and raised their five children. After his football career, Doug transitioned into business, developing a successful heavy equipment company, Chesapeake Supply and Equipment, in Jessup, Maryland. Doug was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carol, his daughter Jean Delger (Dennis Delger), and his son John Eggers (Tara Eggers). He is survived by his children Barbara Eggers, Tracy Eggers, and Kate Ailor, as well as eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him great pride and joy.

Beyond his professional and athletic accomplishments, Doug will be remembered most for his kind heart and generous spirit. He loved the outdoors-hunting, golfing, and fishing whenever he could-and shared a passion for travel. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Services will be held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church 8603 Contee Rd, Laurel, MD 20708 on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 11:00 am. Interment of the ashes immediately following to be held at Maryland National Memorial Cemetery. Light refreshments will be served at St. Nicholas Catholic Church immediately following interment.