NFL Draft: The Greatest 1st Overall Picks Ever

Pennsylvania. Chuck Bednarik . 7. player. 54. The last 60-minute man. That was the tag Chuck Bednarik wore towards the end of his Hall of Fame career with the Philadelphia Eagles because he was the last notable player in NFL history who went an entire season on both offense and defense. Though he was an effective center for some very good offenses over the year, his great fame was as a linebacker on defense. Not only did he tackles and hit with incredible consistency and ferocity, he also was quite effective in coverage. When he retired he’d compiled 20 interceptions. <p> </p> <p>His 1960 season was and remains the stuff of legend. It was the last of his eight Pro Bowls and would be the first time he’d made the playoffs since his rookie year in 1949. Everything was fueled by a big win over the New York Giants, spearheaded by Bednarik who delivered perhaps the most memorable hit of all-time, knocking running back Frank Gifford out cold.</p> <p> </p> <p>Philadelphia made it to the championship game and became the only team to ever beat the Vince Lombardi Packers in the title game with a 17-13 triumph. Bednarik was the one who made the final tackle with seconds left to preserve the win. </p>. LB/C