He was always simply "Brookie."

Tom Brookshier is one of those guys who got it. He was, simply, one of us.

Yes, he was an all-Pro cornerback. But he just as easily could have been the guy sitting next to you at the local tavern.

That's why Eagles fans loved him.

That's why his No. 40 is one of seven jerseys retired by the team.

Me? I always had another reason to like Brookie. We were both products of the University of Colorado.

I never had a chance to tell him that. I wish I had. Because no doubt he would have replied with that classic laugh that was his signature.

Tom Brookshier died this past weekend. Foorball is a little bit the lesser. So are all of us.

Whether it was playing corner for the Birds, doing the sports on Channel 10, or teaming with Pat Summerall as CBS' lead broadcasting duo on NFL games, "Brookie" never lost that magical, mischievous laugh.

Lik I said, in a world of superstar athletes adn even bigger personalities in broadcasting, he was just one of us.

And he will be missed.