Former All-Pro and Super Bowl-winning tight end Charle Young dies at 75
Former All-Pro NFL tight end Charle Young passed away at age 75.
Young played 12 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks from 1973 to 1985. He helped San Francisco win its first Super Bowl championship during the 1981 season.
The 49ers released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, regarding Young's passing.
"The 49ers mourn the passing of former TE Charle Young," the 49ers' statement read. "Our organization sends its deepest condolences to the Young family and friends."
Who was Charle Young?Young was a Fresno, California, native who starred as a three-sport athlete at Edison High School playing basketball, baseball and football. He was a legend at every sport he played, according to Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame.
However, it was Young's football prowess that took him to USC where he went on to become a 1972 national champion with the Trojans, catching 62 passes for 998 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Young was a sixth overall selection in the 1973 NFL Draft by the Eagles. He went on to make three Pro Bowl appearances in Philadelphia in 1973, 1974 and 1975. He was named an All-Pro tight end in those years as well.
He played with the Rams for three seasons: 1977-79. Young helped the Rams appear in Super Bowl XIV, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-19, against his old college teammate Lynn Swann.
Young left Southern California for Northern California. He played with the 49ers for another three seasons - 1980-82 - helping the team become Super Bowl champions for the first time, winning Super Bowl XVI.
He finished his career in the Pacific Northwest with the Seahawks, playing three seasons: 1983-85. He finished his career with 418 receptions, 5,106 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns.
Sports world reacts to Charle Young's passing#RIP Charle Young #Eaglespic.twitter.com/mXt7knLVLm
- Old Time Football (@Ol_TimeFootball) May 12, 2026
Many in the sports world took the time to recognize Young following the announcement of his passing. Here's how he'll be remembered amongst the NFL, sports media and football fans - alike.
Charle Young caught the first playoff TD pass of the #49ers dynasty, an 8-yarder from Joe Montana to open scoring on the divisional round vs Giants in 1981 season https://t.co/t0W0E3DQiC
- Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) May 12, 2026
RIP former Eagles TE Charle Young. He played for the Eagles in the 70s. He was a first round draft pick by the Eagles in 1973 and he was an All Pro and 3 time Pro Bowler in Philly. He has passed away. pic.twitter.com/AyI7IdRQ8G
- John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 12, 2026
Charle Young, one of only three Eagles in franchise history to make 1st-team all-pro as a rookie, has died.https://t.co/jw8YZ0KAy0
- NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 12, 2026
"Nothing can be finer
- Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) May 12, 2026
Than to be a 49er
Diggin for gold
In the Super Bowl"
-- Charle Young, after the 1981 NFC Championship Game
Rest in Peace. https://t.co/kuFrxIUxz7
Fly high, Charle Young. This catch in Super Bowl XVI was a thing of beauty. https://t.co/G2vhhDTYmXpic.twitter.com/lyCJHAXcaD
- 9rs World Order (@9RSWO) May 12, 2026
#FightOnForever to former USC TE Charlie Young. Young was a Unanimous All-American at USC, member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and a multiple-selection All-Pro player in the NFL. Young was selected in the 1st round by the Eagles in the 1973 draft
- Arrogant Nation (@FightOnRusty) May 12, 2026
pic.twitter.com/MT4Oxb0wA1
We mourn the passing of former TE Charle Young, who finished his All-Pro career in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/JtPP5XABt2
- Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 12, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former San Francisco 49ers tight end Charle Young passed away at 75.