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 with 63 receptions. He played for four teams during his career: Eagles (1973-1976), Los Angeles Rams (1977-1979), San Francisco 49ers (1980-1982), and Seattle Seahawks (1983-1985), finishing with 418 receptions for 5,106 yards and 27 touchdowns across 187 games.
Young's playing strengths combined exceptional athleticism with technical mastery: wide receiver-like speed despite his 6-foot-4, 234-pound frame; dominant blocking ability that opened holes for running backs; reliable hands and precise route-running; and durability that enabled him to start 142 games over 13 seasons.
His greatest moments showcased championship contributions: (1) 80-yard touchdown reception as a rookie in 1973, demonstrating his explosive deep-threat capability; (2) 1981 NFC Championship Game—Montana's 17-yard completion to Young on the opening drive set the tone, and Young later contributed crucial receptions during the legendary 89-yard final drive culminating in "The Catch"; (3) Super Bowl XVI victory over Cincinnati 26-21, earning Young his only championship ring.
Following his playing career, Young founded an environmental learning center for at-risk youth near Seattle. He volunteers with the United Way of America, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Society, Pacific Northwest Athletic Congress, and served as a board member of the Wee Care Childcare Center. In 1982, Young changed his first name from Charlie to Charle, explaining he wanted to simplify spelling confusion for others.
