PRINTER'S NO. 2998
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
740
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SIMMONS, VEREB, O'BRIEN, MILLARD, MURT, O'NEILL,
ROZZI, THOMAS, MACKENZIE, DiGIROLAMO, ROTHMAN, KILLION,
READSHAW, PASHINSKI, GODSHALL, ROSS, D. COSTA, DRISCOLL,
KNOWLES, WATSON, HAHN, BARRAR, SONNEY, DUSH, NEILSON, KINSEY,
BULLOCK, STAATS, MAHONEY, A. HARRIS, MARSICO, BENNINGHOFF,
HARHART, REGAN AND KIRKLAND, MARCH 21, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 21, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Charles "Chuck" Philip Bednarik, Hall of
Fame center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, and
expressing condolences upon his passing.
WHEREAS, Charles "Chuck" Philip Bednarik was born on May 1,
1925, in Bethlehem; and
WHEREAS, After playing high school football, Mr. Bednarik
joined the United States Army Air Corps and flew 30 bombing
missions over Europe in World War II as a gunner on a B-24
Liberator; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bednarik earned an Air Medal with four oak leaf
clusters and five battle stars for his courageous military
service; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bednarik played college football at the
University of Pennsylvania, where he was a two-time All-American
and earned the Maxwell Award as the nation's most outstanding
player; and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
WHEREAS, Mr. Bednarik was selected as the first pick by the
Philadelphia Eagles in the 1948 National Football League (NFL)
draft; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bednarik was one of the last NFL players to
commonly play on both offense and defense; and
WHEREAS, Though he earned the nickname "Concrete Charlie" due
to his off-season career as a salesman for a concrete company,
the nickname also perfectly described his toughness on the
football field; and
WHEREAS, During his 14 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles,
he won two championships, played in eight Pro Bowls and only
missed three games; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bednarik was inducted to the Pro Football Hall
of Fame in 1967, his first year of eligibility, and to the
College Football Hall of Fame in 1969; and
WHEREAS, The college football defensive player of the year
award is named after Mr. Bednarik; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, the Philadelphia Eagles honored Mr.
Bednarik by retiring his jersey number; and
WHEREAS, After his football career, Mr. Bednarik served as
chairman of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission;
WHEREAS, Mr. Bednarik enjoyed golfing, polka music and
playing the harmonica and accordion; and
WHEREAS, He was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic
Church in Coopersburg; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bednarik passed away on March 21, 2015, at 89
years of age in Richland; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bednarik is survived by his wife of 67 years,
Emma; five daughters; 10 grandchildren; and one great-
grandchild; therefore be it
20160HR0740PN2998 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life of
Charles "Chuck" Philip Bednarik, Hall of Fame center and
linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, and express condolences
upon his passing; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the family of Mr. Bednarik.
20160HR0740PN2998 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6