Mel Tom

Melvyn Maile Tom (1941–2006) was a defensive lineman who spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Tom attended Maryknoll High School, where he played basketball rather than football. He was drafted by Philadelphia in the sixth round of the 1966 NFL Draft and signed with the Eagles in 1967, recording five sacks in his rookie season and earning a spot on the UPI NFL All-Rookie Team. In 1968 he posted 5.5 sacks and was voted team MVP by his Eagles teammates.