Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 20, 2026

Mel Tom

Melvyn Maile Tom was an American professional football player who was a defensive lineman for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears.

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Mel Tom
No. 58, 99, 89
PositionDefensive end
Personal information
Born(1941-08-04)August 4, 1941
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
DiedApril 27, 2006(2006-04-27) (aged 64)
Kailua, Hawaii, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight249 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High schoolMaryknoll (Honolulu)
College
NFL draft1966: 6th round, 89th overall pick
AFL draft1966: Red Shirt 9th round, 80th overall pick
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Fumble recoveries5
Safeties1
Sacks44.5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Melvyn Maile Tom (August 4, 1941 – April 27, 2006) was an American professional football player who was a defensive lineman for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears.1

Early life

Tom was born on August 4, 1941, in Honolulu, Hawaii.2 He attended Maryknoll High School, where he did not play football.23 He received two letters in basketball, and was considered to be one of the top basketball players in Hawaii.23

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles

Tom was drafted by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 1966 NFL Draft as a "futures pick".4 Tom signed with the Eagles in 1967.5 He finished his rookie season with five sacks.6 He was named to the UPI NFL All-Rookie Team.7

During the 1968 season, Tom committed a roughing the punter penalty in the final two minutes of a 7-6 Eagles loss to the Giants.8 He finished the season with 5.5 sacks.6 He was voted as team MVP by his teammates.2

Heading into the 1969 season, Eagles General Manager Pete Retzlaff deemed the Eagles defensive line to be the team's strong point, with Tom being among the players Retzlaff highlighted.9 Tom finished the season with four sacks and a safety.6

Heading into the 1970 season, Tom was described by the New York Times as one of the Eagles "few first-rate players."10 Tom finished the season with a career-high 7.5 sacks and a fumble recovered.6

In 1971, Tom was fined $1,000 for a block that knocked Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach unconscious.1112 After being fined, Tom claimed that "It's more or less an unwritten rule in this league that you're not supposed to hit the quarterback hard."12 NFL executive director Jim Kensil refuted the existence of that 'unwritten rule'.12 Later that season, when Ed Khayat was hired as head coach he instituted a no facial hair policy.13 Tom, who had a mustache, proposed only shaving off half of his mustache, a request which was refused.13 After the season, Tom was listed as an honorable mention to the UPI National Football Conference Team.14 Tom ended the year with 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovered.6

In 1972, Tom was named the Eagles team MVP.15 He finished the season with 6 sacks.6 After the season, Tom requested to be traded, desiring to instead play for a west coast team.15 However, he was persuaded by Eagles coach Mike McCormack to remain in Philadelphia for another season, with the promise that they would try to trade him the following season.15

Heading into the 1973 season, Tom was listed by the New York Times as one of the Eagles best players.16 During training camp, Tom was fined for being three hours late to practice.17 Before the season began, he publicly mulled reviving his trade request and even retirement.15 Four games into the season, Tom refused to play another game for the Eagles.18 After an argument with defensive line coach Jerry Wampfler, Tom told Wampfler to "Trade me, fire me, or fight me."18 He was traded to the Chicago Bears shortly afterwards for an undisclosed 1974 draft pick.1920 Despite only playing four games for the Eagles that season, he still was second on the team in sacks.6

Tom's tenure with the was marred by the Eagles' poor regular season record, which according to sportswriter Paul Giordano, cost Tom several all-pro team appearances.21

Chicago Bears

A month after being traded to the Bears, Tom drew a delay of game penalty after kicking the ball away in an attempt to prevent a Chiefs field goal attempt.22 Tom ended the season with seven sacks and two fumbles recovered.6

Prior to the 1974 season, Tom announced his retirement.23 However, Tom ended up playing in 1974, and had 32 solo tackles (51 total), four sacks, and one fumble recovered.24

In 1975, Tom was placed on waivers after the Bears signed Dan Neal.25

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Sacks Fumbles
GP GS FR Yds
1967 PHI 14 6 5.0 0 0
1968 PHI 14 14 5.5 0 0
1969 PHI 14 12 4.0 0 0
1970 PHI 14 14 7.5 1 0
1971 PHI 14 14 4.5 1 0
1972 PHI 14 14 6.0 0 0
1973 PHI 4 4 2.0 1 1
CHI 9 8 5.0 1 7
1974 CHI 14 7 4.0 1 1
1975 CHI 6 2 1.0 0 0
Career 117 95 44.5 5 9

Personal life and death

Tom had two children, Landon Tom and Logan Tom. Logan Tom was a member of the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 American Olympic indoor volleyball teams.26

Tom died at age 64 of heart failure.3

References

References

  1. "1966 AFL Draft". Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  2. "Philadelphia Eagles Media Guide" (PDF). 1973. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  3. "Former NFL player Mel Tom, 64, dies". The Honolulu Advertiser. April 28, 2006.
  4. "Philly Eagles Sign San Jose's Mel Tom". Lebanon Daily News. March 16, 1967. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  5. "Football Signings". The New York Times. March 16, 1967. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  6. "Mel Tom Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  7. Turney, John (March 14, 2022). "Pro Football Journal: 1967 UPI All-Rookie Team". Pro Football Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  8. Wallace, William N. (November 18, 1968). "Giants Win by 7-6; EAGLES DEFEATED 10TH TIME IN ROW Tarkenton Passes to Duhon for 33-Yard Score and Giants' 7th Victory". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  9. Times, William N. Wallacespecial To the New York (July 26, 1969). "Retzlaff Seeks to Arouse Fallen Eagles". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  10. Times, William N. Wallace Special to The New York (August 14, 1970). "A Large Dose of Talent Seems Apt Remedy for Ailing Eagles". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  11. "The Rivalry: Reviewing the history of the Eagles and the Cowboys". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  12. "Mel Tom Fined For Hitting Hard". Waxahachie Daily Light Newspaper. November 12, 1971. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  13. Berkow, Ira (November 14, 1972). "Does clean cut, short hair make a good Met or Bear?". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  14. Stellino, Vito (December 22, 1971). "Minnesota Places Five Players on All-Star Squad". Nevada State Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  15. "Mel Tom is Seeking to Move West". Gettysburg Times. August 21, 1973. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  16. Wallace, William N. (August 26, 1973). "Pro Game Unchanged With Seats at Premium". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  17. "Duane Thomas Is Suspended". The New York Times. July 17, 1973. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  18. Keese, Parton (October 13, 1973). "People in Sports: Sparky Ashamed". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  19. "Mel Tom Pro Football Record". www.profootballarchives.com. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  20. "Eagles Deal Mel Tom". The Daily Review. October 17, 1973. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  21. Giordano, Paul (August 21, 1973). "Tom Wants to Leave East". Bucks County Courier Times. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  22. "Chiefs Win by 19‐7, Gain Tie for Lead". The New York Times. November 13, 1973. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  23. Seepy, Tom (August 15, 1974). "Some Veterans Report Only To Be Turned Back". Corbin Times Tribune. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  24. Chicago Bears Media Guide (1975), library.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/publications/football/yearbooks/FCHIBMG-1975-chicago-bears-media-guide.pdf. Accessed 23 May 2026.
  25. "Pro Transactions". The New York Times. November 12, 1975. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  26. Taylor, Scott; Urbani, Diane (September 30, 2000). "Ex-Utahn shines on the court". Deseret News. Retrieved May 23, 2026.