Chuck Bednarik facts for kids
Bednarik's 1952 playing card
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| No. 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Outside linebacker, Center |
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born: | May 1, 1925 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Died: | March 21, 2015 (aged 89) Richland, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 233 lb (106 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| High school: | Liberty (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) |
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| College: | Penn (1945–1948) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1949 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Charles Philip Bednarik (born May 1, 1925 – died March 21, 2015) was an American professional football player. He was known as "Concrete Charlie" and played in the National Football League (NFL). Many people remember him as one of the hardest-hitting tacklers in NFL history. He was also one of the last "two-way players" in the league. This means he played both offense and defense.
One of his most famous plays was a tackle on Frank Gifford on November 20, 1960. This tackle, known as The Hit, is still talked about as one of the toughest tackles ever. Bednarik was a Slovak American from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He played his entire 14-year NFL career for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949 to 1962. In 1967, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Growing Up in Bethlehem
Chuck Bednarik was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on May 1, 1925. His parents had moved there from a village in eastern Slovakia five years earlier. They worked for Bethlehem Steel. Chuck went to a Slovak school in Bethlehem called SS. Cyril & Methodius.
High School Football
Bednarik played football at Liberty High School in Bethlehem. He showed his talent for the sport early on.
Serving in World War II
After high school, Bednarik joined the United States Army Air Forces. He was a gunner on a B-24 bomber. He flew 30 combat missions over Germany during World War II. For his bravery, he received several awards, including the Air Medal.
College Football Career
After his military service, Bednarik attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He was known as a "60-minute man" because he played almost every minute of the game. He was excellent as both a center (on offense) and a linebacker (on defense). Sometimes, he even played as a punter.
He was named an All-American three times. Later, he was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In 1948, he won the Maxwell Award, which goes to the best college football player. In 1969, experts voted him "The Greatest Center of All-Time."
NFL Career with the Eagles
Becoming a Pro
The Philadelphia Eagles chose Chuck Bednarik as the very first player in the 1949 NFL Draft. He quickly became a star, playing both offense (as a center) and defense (as a linebacker). He helped the Eagles win two NFL Championships, in 1949 and 1960.
The 1960 Championship Game
In the final moments of the 1960 NFL Championship Game, Bednarik made a game-winning play. The Eagles were leading the Green Bay Packers 17–13. A Packers player, Jim Taylor, was running towards the end zone. Bednarik tackled Taylor at the Eagles' eight-yard line. He stayed on top of Taylor as the last seconds of the game ran out. This stopped the Packers from having another play and secured the Eagles' victory.
The Famous "Hit" on Frank Gifford
On November 20, 1960, Bednarik made one of the most famous tackles in NFL history. He tackled New York Giants running back Frank Gifford. The hit was so powerful that Gifford was knocked unconscious and had to leave the game. He did not play football for over 18 months after that.
After the game, some people criticized Bednarik. They thought he was celebrating Gifford's injury. However, Bednarik said he was celebrating the fumble that happened during the tackle. The Eagles recovered the ball, which helped them win the game. Years later, Gifford himself said it was "a clean shot" and that Bednarik hit him exactly as he would have hit Bednarik.
Achievements and Legacy
A Durable "Sixty-Minute Man"
Chuck Bednarik was incredibly tough and rarely missed a game. He played in 169 games over 14 seasons, missing only three. He was named an All-Pro player eight times. He was also the last of the NFL's "Sixty-Minute Men." These were players who regularly played both offense and defense.
"Concrete Charlie"
Bednarik's famous nickname, "Concrete Charlie," came from his job outside of football. In the off-season, he sold concrete for a company. It was not because of his hard-hitting style, though many people thought it was. A sportswriter once said that Bednarik "is as hard as the concrete he sells."
Honors and Rankings
In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him number 54 on their list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. He was the highest-ranked player who spent his entire career with the Eagles. He was also the highest-ranked offensive center. In 2010, the NFL Network ranked him number 35 on their list of the "Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players."
Bednarik strongly believed that modern players should play both offense and defense, like he did. He felt that playing only one side of the ball was not as challenging.
His Connection to the Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles honored Chuck Bednarik by retiring his jersey number, 60. This means no other Eagles player will ever wear that number. It is one of only nine numbers retired by the team. In 1987, when the Eagles started their Honor Roll, Bednarik was one of the first players to be included.
Health and Passing
Later Years
In his final years, Bednarik lived in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Emma. In March 2011, he was briefly hospitalized but recovered well.
His Death
Chuck Bednarik passed away on March 21, 2015, at the age of 89. The Eagles announced that he died after a "brief illness." However, his eldest daughter said he had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia for several years. She believed that football-related injuries played a role in his health decline.
See also
In Spanish: Chuck Bednarik para niños
- Chuck Bednarik Award, an award given each year to the best defensive player in college football
- The Hit (Chuck Bednarik)
