Rookie of the Year: Charle Young, 1973

Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles

Age: 22

College: Southern California

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 230

Prelude:

An All-American in college, Young was the second of two first-round draft picks (sixth overall) by the Eagles in 1973. The outspoken rookie moved directly into the starting lineup and backed up his words with production as part of the “Fire High Gang” along with tall wide receivers Harold Carmichael (6’8”) and Don Zimmerman (6’4”).

1973 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 55 [4, tied with Ed Podolak]     

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 108 yds.) vs. New England 11/4

Yards – 854 [4]

Most yards, game – 113 (on 4 catches) at Dallas 11/18

Average gain – 15.5 (19)

TDs – 6 [12, tied with Jerome Barkum, Otto Stowe & Larry Brown]

100-yard receiving games - 4

Rushing

Attempts – 4

Yards – 24

Average gain – 6.0

TDs – 1

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 14

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 7 [18, tied with seven others]

Points – 42

Awards & Honors:

NFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Pro Football Weekly

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

1^st team All-NFC: AP, Pro Football Weekly

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Eagles went 5-8-1 to finish third in the NFC East while leading the NFL in passing offense (2998 yds.).

Aftermath:

Young followed up his outstanding rookie season by gathering in a NFC-leading 63 catches for 696 yards (11.0 avg.) and three touchdowns in 1974. He was again selected to the Pro Bowl in 1974 and ’75, although his production dropped with the offensively-challenged Eagles in 1975 and ’76. His first name also went through several different changes, from Charles to Charlie, Charli, and finally Charle. A contract dispute forced the trade of his rights to the Los Angeles Rams in 1977 for QB Ron Jaworski, and he dropped into obscurity behind Terry Nelson. In three seasons in LA, he caught just 36 passes. Moving on to San Francisco, Young was a better fit and, in the 1981 Super Bowl-winning season, had 37 pass receptions for 400 yards and five TDs. Following three years with the 49ers, he finished up with three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. For his 13-season career, Young caught 418 passes for 5106 yards (12.2 avg.) and 27 touchdowns and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

[Updated 2/6/14]