Sad news this morning as Chuck Bednarik, a man who helped lead Philadelphia to two championships in 1949 and 1960, has passed away at the age of 89. He spend his entire 14-year NFL career with the Eagles from 1949-1962. According to the Philadelphia Eagles official site, Bednarik passed following an illness he was dealing with at an assisted living facility in Richland, PA.
Bednarik had plenty of memorable moments in kelly green, but will remembered most for his game saving tackle in the 1960 NFL Championship Game. He stopped Green Bay running back Jim Taylor as he was approaching the end zone with a bear hug tackle as time expired. That play helped Philadelphia hold on and win the championship, 17-13.
The Eagles released a statement this morning on their website with a few front office members chiming in on their thoughts of his passing.
Jeffrey Lurie: “With the passing of Chuck Bednarik, the Eagles and our fans have lost a legend. Philadelphia fans grow up expecting toughness, all-out effort and a workmanlike attitude from this team and so much of that image has its roots in the way Chuck played the game. He was a Hall of Famer, a champion and an all-time Eagle. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this time.”
Don Smolenski: “So many of the timeless moments in Eagles history are associated with Chuck Bednarik. He played his entire career in Philadelphia, college and pro, and he lived his entire life here and in the Lehigh Valley. He was a proud competitor and a dedicated and devout family man who loved Eagles fans as much as they loved him. He left his mark on this team and will forever be a legend within this organization.”
Chip Kelly: “I have had the opportunity to spend time with Chuck Bednarik, who is truly one of the most unique players that this game has ever seen. The foundation of this organization and this league is built on the backs of past greats, with Chuck at the forefront. The way he played the game with an endless passion and tenacity helped establish the standard of excellence that this organization stands for; one that we strive to achieve each and every day.”
Bednarik earned the nickname "Concrete Charlie" not only for his ruthless play on the field, but also because his offseason job was being a concrete salesman for the Warner Company. His jersey, #60, is one of nine numbers to be retired by the Eagles. He played in 169 career games, picking off 20 passes on defense, including one returned for a touchdown. The Philadelphia Inquirer released his obituary early Saturday morning.
Chuck Bednarik, the immovable, irascible son of a Bethlehem steelworker whose Hall of Fame football career was more notable for lasts than firsts, passed away Saturday morning at the age of 89.
Mr. Bednarik, one of the greatest players in the long histories of the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Eagles, was a star on the last Penn teams to aspire to national prominence, a veteran leader on the last Eagles team to win a league championship and, most famously, the last of the NFL’s “60-minute men”.
Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967, two years before being inducted in the college hall, his plaque in Canton sums up his football philosophy. He was, it accurately notes, a “rugged, durable, bulldozing blocker … a bone-jarring tackler.”
He could be the same away from the game. Mr. Bednarik possessed a temper that never faded and a tongue that hit as hard as he once did. His final decades were noteworthy for various feuds, confrontations and his constant criticism of contemporary players.
A Bethlehem, PA native, Bednarik was born on May 1st, 1925 and played college football at the University of Pennsylvania after serving time in World War II. In his final two seasons at Penn, Bednarik earned All-America honors. The Eagles selected him first overall in the 1949 draft. Every year since 1995, the Maxwell Football Club has given out the "Chuck Bednarik Award". It is awarded to college football's top defensive player.
The Eagles honored Bednarik on Twitter on Saturday morning.
#ConcreteCharlie is forever an Eagle. We remember a legend: http://t.co/lK0LxgmqiD pic.twitter.com/njk4SnDDIO
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 21, 2015
Check out why Ray Didinger believes Chuck Bednarik was the greatest Eagle of all time.
