Charle Young facts for kids

Charle Edward Young (born February 5, 1951) is a former American football player. He was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. Charle played college football for the USC Trojans. The Philadelphia Eagles picked him in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft.

He played for several NFL teams during his career. These included the Eagles (1973–1976), the Los Angeles Rams (1977–1979), the San Francisco 49ers (1980–1982), and the Seattle Seahawks (1983–1985). Charle Young was known for his strong receiving skills. He caught 418 passes for 5,106 yards and scored 27 touchdowns in his NFL career.

Early Life and High School Sports

Charle Young grew up in Fresno, California. He went to Edison High School there. While in high school, he was a talented athlete. He helped lead his high school basketball team to the valley playoffs. After high school, he decided to focus on football for college and his professional career.

College Football Success at USC

Charle Young played college football at the University of Southern California (USC). He was an amazing player during his time there. In 1972, he was named a unanimous first-team All-American. This means every major group of experts agreed he was one of the best players in the country.

He helped USC win the Pacific-8 Conference title in 1972. That same year, his team also won a national championship. Charle was named USC's Lineman of the Year in 1972. He set a school record for tight ends with 62 catches in one season. Over three seasons, he gained 1,008 receiving yards and scored ten touchdowns. Because of his great college career, he was added to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Professional Football Career Highlights

After college, Charle Young joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973. He quickly made an impact, earning Rookie of the Year honors. He played for 13 seasons in the NFL. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times, in 1973, 1974, and 1975. The Pro Bowl is an all-star game for the best players in the NFL.

Charle played in Super Bowl XIV with the Los Angeles Rams in 1979. Later, he won Super Bowl XVI with the San Francisco 49ers in 1981. This was a huge achievement for him and his team.

In 1982, he officially changed the spelling of his first name from "Charlie" to "Charle." He explained that people often got confused about how to spell or say his name. He wanted to make it simpler for everyone.

He was also a key player in a famous moment in NFL history called "The Catch." This happened during the 1981 NFC Playoffs game against the Dallas Cowboys. Charle was part of the final 89-yard drive that led to this amazing play. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks before ending his career.

Life After Football

After retiring from football, Charle Young has been very active in his community. He volunteers his time with several organizations. These include the United Way of America, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Society, and the Pacific Northwest Athletic Congress.

He also volunteered for the 1990 Goodwill Games. Charle is a board member of the Wee Care Childcare Center. He continues to be a positive influence and give back to others.