Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik dies at 89

(Image credit: AP Photo)

published March 21, 2015

Chuck Bednarik, a former center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, died on Saturday morning at the age of 89, the team said in an announcement reported by Sports Illustrated.

"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," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a press release. "He was a Hall of Famer, a champion, and an all-time Eagle."

Bednarik played for the Eagles from 1949 to 1962 — a franchise-record, 14-season career. He was on two Eagles teams that won NFL championships, in 1949 and 1960, and he was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection. Bednarik, who was known as "Concrete Charlie" because of his work as a concrete salesman during the offseasons, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame the first year he was eligible, in 1967.

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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

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