Philadelphia Eagles Legend & Super Bowl Champion Has Tragically Passed Away
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Charle Young, a three-time Pro Bowl tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles who later won a Super Bowl ring with the San Francisco 49ers, has passed away. He was 75.
On Tuesday, the 49ers announced on X/Twitter that Charle Young had passed away. No cause of death was given.
The 49ers mourn the passing of former TE Charle Young.
Our organization sends its deepest condolences to the Young family and friends. pic.twitter.com/dEG49KDLY5
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 12, 2026
After leading the USC Trojans to a national championship in 1972, Young was drafted sixth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973. He earned his first of three straight Pro Bowl nods that year, catching 55 passes for 854 yards and six touchdowns. Young was also named a First-team All-Pro that year.
Charle Young would also earn Pro Bowl nods in 1974 and 1975, exceeding the 40-catch and 600-yard marks each year. After four years with the Eagles, he joined the Los Angeles Rams in 1977, helping them to a Super Bowl 14 appearance. There, they fell to the dynastic Pittsburgh Steelers.
Young spent three years with the 49ers (1980-82) before playing out his final three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
Charle Young Helped 49ers To Their First Super Bowl Title In 1981
Young proved to be one of the final pieces Bill Walsh’s 49ers needed to break through in the 1981 season. San Francisco defeated the Cincinnati Bengals to win its first Super Bowl, with Young catching 37 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns that year.
The 49ers would form a dynasty from there, winning four Super Bowls under quarterback Joe Montana. They would win another in the 1994 season under the guidance of Steve Young, Montana’s successor.
Charle Young retired with 418 receptions for 5,106 yards and 27 touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference. In 13 career playoff games, he contributed 16 receptions for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Young’s family and friends during this difficult time.
