Bruce Gene Bergey, a former professional football defensive end who played in the NFL during the early 1970s, has died at the age of 80.
Bergey died on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Hillsboro Medical Center in Oregon, according to an obituary published by Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home & Crematory. He was a resident of the Hillsboro community.
His death brings renewed attention to the career of a football player who spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Oilers before continuing his professional career in Canada and the World Football League.
Bruce Gene Bergey Death Confirmed at 80
According to his official funeral home obituary, Bruce Gene Bergey was born on August 8, 1946, and died September 20, 2026, at the age of 80.
The obituary confirms that he was living in the Hillsboro area at the time of his death and that he died at Hillsboro Medical Center.
The funeral home has announced private cremation rites at Hoyt Crematory in Forest Grove, Oregon. No public funeral service details or visitation arrangements were listed in the obituary.
Bruce Gene Bergey at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bruce Gene Bergey |
| Born | August 8, 1946 |
| Died | September 20, 2026 |
| Age | 80 |
| Birthplace | South Dayton, New York |
| Residence | Hillsboro, Oregon |
| Position | Defensive end |
| College | UCLA |
| NFL teams | Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers |
| NFL career | 1971 |
| Other professional teams | Toronto Argonauts, Portland Storm, Portland Thunder |
Cause of Death
A specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed in the funeral home’s obituary.
The official notice confirms that Bergey died at Hillsboro Medical Center, but it does not identify an illness, medical condition or other circumstance as the cause of his death. Until his family or another authoritative source provides additional information, claims about a specific cause should be treated cautiously.
Bruce Bergey’s Football Career
Bergey played college football at UCLA before entering the professional ranks.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the 14th round of the 1971 NFL Draft with the 354th overall pick. UCLA’s historical draft records also list Bergey as a 1971 selection by Kansas City.
He appeared in seven NFL games during the 1971 season, spending time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Oilers. Pro Football Reference lists him as a defensive end and records seven games during his NFL career.
NFL records likewise list his 1971 professional statistics, including one kickoff return for 15 yards.
Although his NFL career was brief, Bergey’s professional football journey continued beyond the league.
From the NFL to Canada and the World Football League
After his NFL season, Bergey played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. Historical professional football records list him with Toronto during the 1972 and 1973 seasons.
He later joined the Portland Storm and Portland Thunder of the World Football League in the 1970s.
A profile of Bergey’s career published by the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame noted that he played for Kansas City and Houston in the NFL, Toronto in the CFL and eventually Portland in the World Football League.
His professional football career therefore extended across three leagues and several years after his initial NFL opportunity.
Early Life and UCLA Years
Bruce Gene Bergey was born in South Dayton, New York, on August 8, 1946.
He attended Pine Valley High School before continuing his football career at UCLA. Pro Football Reference lists him as a UCLA player and records his selection by Kansas City in the 1971 draft.
His time at UCLA preceded a professional career that took him from the NFL to the CFL and WFL.
Family and Personal Life
Bergey was the brother of former NFL linebacker Bill Bergey, who enjoyed a much longer career in professional football.
A historical profile of the Bergey brothers described Bruce as the younger sibling who pursued his own professional football path with Kansas City, Houston, Toronto and Portland.
Publicly available reports on Bruce Bergey’s later personal life remain limited. The newly published funeral home notice primarily confirms his death, age, Hillsboro residence and cremation arrangements rather than providing an extensive biography.
Remembering Bruce Bergey
Bruce Bergey’s professional football career may not have lasted as long as his brother Bill’s, but it took him through several major professional football environments during an era when players could move between the NFL, CFL and emerging leagues.
His death at 80 marks the passing of a former UCLA football player and professional defensive end whose career stretched well beyond his single NFL season.
As more details about his life and family become publicly available, additional information may provide a fuller picture of Bergey’s years after football and his life in Oregon.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information from the official funeral home obituary and historical football records. The cause of Bruce Gene Bergey’s death has not been publicly disclosed in the sources reviewed. Any future updates should be verified against statements from his family, funeral home or other authoritative sources.