This week in Northamton County history.
Born May 1, 1925; known for long NFL career
Charles “Chuck” Bednarik was born in Bethlehem on May 1, 1925. His parents were Slovak immigrants. He attended SS. Cyril & Methodius, then Liberty High School, where he played football. He served as a B-24 gunner in WWII, flying 30 combat missions. After the war, he played for the University of Pennsylvania. He was a two-time All-American. In 1949, he was the first pick in the NFL Draft. He played 14 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles as a linebacker and center. He was a two-time NFL champion and Hall of Famer. He died in 2015.
