Chuck Bednarik honored at Liberty ceremony

Eagles great Chuck Bednarik was honored as part of a special program called "Hometown Hall of Famers" presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate at Liberty High School in Bethlehem.

Chuck Bednarik hardly resembles that same fearsome figure who is regarded as one of the toughest to play professional football and perhaps the greatest to ever wear a Philadelphia Eagles uniform. At age 88, the Upper Saucon resident walks with a cane and relies on the help of others to get around.

But on Friday at Liberty High School, Bednarik appeared healthy and happy as he thoroughly enjoyed two ceremonies on his behalf.

Bednarik was honored as part of a special program called "Hometown Hall of Famers" presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate during an afternoon ceremony in Memorial Gymnasium. The 1943 Liberty graduate pumped his fist as the school's world-renowned Grenadier Marching Band played the alma mater and he rhythmically banged his cane on the stage as it belted out "Liberty Forever."

Bednarik's longtime friends, former basketball coach Pete Carril and Bill Werpohoski both Liberty alums, presented Bednarik with a plaque that will remain on display in the high school.

That was Act I of the big day for the man known as "Concrete Charlie."

The second act came prior to Friday night's Lehigh Valley Conference football game between Liberty and Central Catholic at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium. Bednarik was present as a seven-foot bronze statue was dedicated in the southwest corner of Frank Banko Field.

It is identical to the statue of his likeness that is located at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field, where he starred in college.

Bednarik, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967, received a standing ovation from this year's Hurricanes football team and select other student-athletes after the afternoon ceremony that included a brief video of his football career.

The football players gathered around Bednarik for a "team photo" after the event, which preceded Liberty's Homecoming pep rally.

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Chuck Bednarik honored at Liberty ceremony