Former All-Pro, Super Bowl Champion Tight End Dies at 75
Charle Young, who earned All-Pro honors three times, including one first-team selection, and made three Pro Bowls during a 13-year NFL career that also included a Super Bowl title with the San Francisco 49ers in 1981, has died. He was 75.
"The 49ers mourn the passing of former TE Charle Young," the organization said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "Our organization sends its deepest condolences to the Young family and friends."
The 49ers mourn the passing of former TE Charle Young.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 12, 2026
Our organization sends its deepest condolences to the Young family and friends. pic.twitter.com/dEG49KDLY5
A stellar career to be remembered
Born Feb. 5, 1951 in Fresno, California, Young attended USC, where he was a unanimous All-American selection in 1972, setting numerous school records while helping the Trojans win the national championship.
The No. 6 overall pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1973 NFL Draft, Young was an immediate star, making first-team All-Pro as a rookie. He bagged second-team All-Pro selections in 1974-75 while also making the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.
After four strong years in Philadelphia, Young moved on to the Los Angeles Rams from 1977-79 before joining the 49ers in 1980. In 1981, he started all 16 games, logging 37 receptions for 400 yards and five touchdowns and adding seven catches, 81 yards and one score in San Francisco's march to a title in Super Bowl XVI.
Young finished his tenure with the 49ers in 1982 before completing three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He retired with 418 receptions, 5,106 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns in 187 pro games.
Young was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
Tributes pour in
Since news of Young's death broke, fans and media alike have been honoring him on social media.
"Oh man. This is a bummer. 3-time All Pro finished his career in Seattle from 1983-85. Caught 61 for 688 yards and 3 TD's as a Seahawk. I shook his hand once and it went up to my elbow. Largest hands I'd ever seen. Rest in peace Charle Young," said Seahawks podcaster Dan Viens.
"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," remembered Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.
"Fly high, Charle Young. This catch in Super Bowl XVI was a thing of beauty," added a 49ers fan account.
"A foundational piece of the first 49ers dynasty and one of the most athletic tight ends of his era. Whether you knew him as Tree at USC or as the veteran leader in San Francisco, his impact on the game was undeniable," another fan chimed in.
"He was an integral part of the start of our dynastic years!" another commenter said.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 1:59 PM.