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Former 49ers Tight End Charle Young Dies at 75

5/13/2026

Summary

Charle Young Dies

Charle Young, NFL tight end, died at 75 after his wife notified the San Francisco 49ers on May 12, 2026.
He was the sixth overall pick in the 1973 draft and earned Pro Bowl honors.
He was a rookie first-team All-Pro and caught the 49ers’ first playoff touchdown in 1981.
He retired with 418 receptions, 5,106 yards and 27 touchdowns in 187 games, ranking seventh among tight ends in receptions.

Summary

Charle Young Legacy

Charle Young, an ordained minister, inspired the Seattle Seahawks’ “I believe” motto with a speech in 1983.
He captained Seattle’s offense in 1984, the only season from 1979-89 without Steve Largent as captain.
Young entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004 and was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team in 2016.
After retiring, he assisted the Seahawks Legends group, volunteered locally, and inspected NFL uniforms for compliance.

Summary

Charle Young Trade

He rejected a $750,000 three-year contract and was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for quarterback Ron Jaworski in March 1977.
At retirement he ranked sixth all-time in NFL tight-end receptions and ninth in receiving yards.
Only four rookie tight ends have ever made first-team All-Pro, joining Young, Keith Jackson, Jeremy Shockey and Brock Bowers.
He said Philadelphia fans were a “working-man” crowd who loudly praised effort but booed players who merely went through the motions.

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Charle Young Dies

Charle Young, NFL tight end, died at 75 after his wife notified the San Francisco 49ers on May 12, 2026.
He was the sixth overall pick in the 1973 draft and earned Pro Bowl honors.
He was a rookie first-team All-Pro and caught the 49ers’ first playoff touchdown in 1981.
He retired with 418 receptions, 5,106 yards and 27 touchdowns in 187 games, ranking seventh among tight ends in receptions.

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