Charle Young

Charle Young revolutionized the tight end position with his unique combination of size, speed, and receiving prowess during a 13-season NFL career. Born February 5, 1951, in Fresno, California, Young attended Edison High School where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete, leading his basketball team to the valley playoffs while dominating on the football field. At the University of Southern California (1970-1972), Young redefined expectations for tight ends in a run-first offense. A unanimous first-team All-American in 1972 and second-team All-American in 1971, he earned USC's Lineman of the Year honors as a senior. His school-record 62 receptions by a tight end in 1972 helped lead the Trojans to an undefeated 12-0 season, a Pac-8 Conference title, and the national championship. Playing alongside future Hall of Famers Sam Cunningham and Lynn Swann, Young amassed 1,008 receiving yards and ten touchdowns in three seasons. The 1972 Trojans defeated Ohio State 42-17 in the Rose Bowl, with 33 team members eventually drafted by NFL teams. Young was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Selected sixth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1973 NFL draft, the 6-foot-4, 234-pound Young made an immediate impact. His remarkable rookie season (55 receptions, 854 yards, six touchdowns) earned him NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, first-team All-Pro recognition, and his first of three consecutive Pro Bowl selections (1973-1975). In 1974, Young led the NFC wit…