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Pro Bowl TE Charle Young Dies at 75

Published 14 May 2026

Charle Young, a Pro Bowl tight end who helped launch the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty with a key role in their first Super Bowl victory, died at age 75, the team announced Tuesday.

The 49ers were informed of Young's passing by his wife, though no cause of death was disclosed. "The 49ers mourn the passing of former TE Charle Young," the team posted on social media. "Our organization sends its deepest condolences to the Young family and friends."

A Fresno, California native, Young first rose to prominence at the University of Southern California, where he earned unanimous All-American honors in 1972 and set school records with 68 receptions for 1,090 yards and 10 touchdowns over his career. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him sixth overall in the 1973 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as a star, winning NFL Rookie of the Year and first-team All-Pro honors that season while earning three Pro Bowl selections during his four years with the team.

Young played 13 NFL seasons across 187 regular-season games with 142 starts for the Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, finishing with 418 receptions for 5,106 yards and 27 touchdowns. He appeared in 13...

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