Hall of Fame
Phil “Chip” Myers is a 1967 graduate who went on to a standout career in the National Football League as both a player and coach.
At Northwestern, Myers caught 109 passes for 1,398 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning all-conference honors in each of his last two seasons.
After graduation, Myers was a 10th-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers. A year later, he latched on with the Cincinnati Bengals for what would turn into an eight-year run. During the 1970 season – his second with Cincy – Myers emerged as the team’s go-to receiving threat, catching a team-high 32 passes for 542 yards and two touchdowns.
Following an injury-plagued 1971 season, Myers bounced back with a career-year. He started all 14 games and ranked third in the NFL in receptions (57) and seventh in yards (792) to earn a spot in the 1972 Pro Bowl.
Myers played four more seasons for the Bengals, finishing up in 1976. At the time, he ranked as the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (220) and receiving yards (3,092).
With his playing career complete, Myers entered the coaching ranks. He coached wide receivers with the Minnesota Vikings from 1995-97 and the quarterbacks in 1998. Signal caller Randall Cunningham credited Myers for much of his success. It was under Myers’ watch that Cunningham morphed from back-up quarterback to All-Pro standout. Others shared those sentiments and – as a result - Myers was promoted to Offensive Coordinator in January of 1999.
Just as Myers appeared to be entering the prime of his coaching career, tragedy struck. Less than two months after his promotion, he suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 53.
