Chuck Bednarik, Hall-of-Fame Linebacker, Dies at 89

wsj ^

[Perdogg]

Chuck Bednarik, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the last great two-way NFL players, has died. He was 89.

A star linebacker and center, Bednarik helped the Philadelphia Eagles win the 1960 NFL championship, tackling Green Bay’s Jim Taylor on the final play to seal the victory. The top overall pick in the 1949 draft out of Penn, he spent 14 seasons as one of the toughest and most feared players in the game.

[T-Bird45]

Great competitor, How is it that he lived so long? Chris Borland says it is not possible.

The game was barely past the days of leather helmets and only recently added the face bars. The players knew better than to use their head as a weapon.

[mware]

https://www.google.com/search?q=chuck+bednarik&biw=853&bih=493&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=-IQNVffxJ8HSgwS5z4C4DA&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&dpr=1.2

[mware]

He sure had gnarly hands

[exPBRrat]

R.I.P. sir.

[buckalfa]

Prayers for his soul and family.

Notice in the picture that the players appear to be somewhat normal in size?

[slumber1]

R.I.P Concrete Charlie

[fatnotlazy]

“Today? Bednarik would have gotten a 15 yard penalty and tossed from the game then fined $25,000.”

***

Yes. Pro football has become a wussie game.

[PGalt]

Condolences to family and friends of Chuck Bednarik.

[Rummyfan]

So sad. One of the last of the true two-way men in the NFL, and old enough to have played on the Eagles last championship team. RIP Chuck!

[Kozy]

And a smart one to graduate from Penn

[mware]

There only a hand full of Eagles that come near to him.

Tommy Brookshire

Pete Retzlaff

Bill Bergey

and Reggie White

[Kozy]

No face mask so they didn’t use their heads as a weapon. Take away face mask, tackling improves and head injuries go down

[Banjoguy]

I was raised in Philly. Chuck was one of my heros. He used to visit the YMCA on Saturday and shmooze with us. He had all the right stuff.

[nascarnation]

The culture has really changed.

Back in the 50s, most NFL players used to have real jobs in the off season.

My Dad’s insurance agent was Lou Groza.

[kvanbrunt2]

in the snow. and he did play offense and defense in that game. i remember hearing the game on radio. i don’t think it was televised.

[Banjoguy]

You mean, Lou “The Toe.”

[kvanbrunt2]

and we played tackle as kids without equipment. could’t afford any. one christmas day the ground was rock hard and icey. my knee still hurts when i think about it. also the folsom team used leather helmets until after we no longer played and i remember the youngsters getting the plastic ones. The helmets where bigger than some of the kids.

[EveningStar]

I remember seeing that photo in our local paper right after that happened in 1960. It was a perfectly legal tackle then.

[07Jack]

That photo is one become one of the most iconic images in NFL history. I once had the honor of meeting Mr. Bednarik and the funny thing about that photo is that Chuck was not taunting Gifford as it would appear. Chuck claimed that after he made the play, he quickly got up and, while turning toward the sideline, pumped his fist toward the ground and said “This F-—ing Game is Over!” When you watch the replay in real-time, it supports Chuck's account.
RIP Concrete Charley.
There will never be another like you.

[Dr. Ursus]

My father worked with his brother in the 50’s. One Christmas he got his brother to have Chuck to send me a card. However,it didn’t work I stayed a Giant fan!