Chuck Bednarik
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Chuck Bednarik (born May 1, 1925 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) is a former professional football player, best remembered as one of the most devastating tacklers in the history of football. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL from the late 1940s to the early 1960s and, upon retirement, was voted entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Early life and military service
Bednarik began playing football in his hometown of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley area. After graduating from Bethlehem's Liberty High School, Bednarik entered the United States Army Air Force and served as a B-24 waist-gunner with the Eighth Air Force.
Bednarik subsequently attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he was an All-American. At the University of Pennsylvania, he also was seventh in Heisman Trophy voting in 1948 and won the Maxwell Award that year.
Football career
Bednarik was the first player drafted in the 1949 National Football League draft, chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Eagles, he starred on both offense (as a center) and defense (as a linebacker). He was a member of the Eagles' NFL Championship teams in 1949 and 1960.
A tough and highly effective tackler, Bednarik is perhaps best known for sending Frank Gifford of the New York Giants into early retirement with a hit in 1960.
Bednarik proved extremely durable. In 14 seasons, he missed just three games. He was named All-Pro eight times, and was the last professional player to play both offense and defense on a regular basis. Additionally, on special teams, Bednarik kicked off for the Eagles.
Bednarik retired from football in 1962. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years later, in 1967.