Eagles Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik in Serious Condition in Bethlehem Hospital

PHILADELPHIA—According to reports from CBSSports.com and the Philadelphia Daily News, longtime Philadelphia Eagles great and Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik is in serious condition in a hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, near his home.

Bednarik is apparently at St. Luke's Hospital, though a nursing supervisor could not provide additional information on the condition of the 85 year-old former star.

There was no additional information on the condition of the 85 year-old Bednarik, but the Philadelphia Daily News reported that the Eagles great was hospitalized for testing.

According to the Daily News, Bednarik's son-in-law, Ken Safarowic, said that Bednarik's blood pressure dropped and he felt faint before being rushed to the hospital, but he is conscious and communicating with family members.

Safarowic also tried to dispel rumors that the former NFL star had had a heart attack and is on life support, telling the newspaper that Bednarik was “just tired” but will probably remain hospitalized for at least another day as he undergoes tests.

With doctors yet to arrive at a diagnosis, Safarowic indicated "he's going to cold-cock someone if they don't let him out soon . . . He was angry that he could not go to Mass today. Lying around at this stage of the game does not agree with him," the Daily News reported.

Bednarik played linebacker and center for the Eagles long after the heyday of two-way players. His game-saving tackle helped the Eagles capture the 1960 NFL championship, the last title won by the franchise.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.

Bednarik was recently listed in our list of the Top 25 Philadelphia Sports Icons of All Time.

Ironically, we had this to say about the great Bednarik—who starred on the 1960 Philadelphia Eagles NFL Championship team:

Sadly, we are getting to a point where only the oldest amongst us remember the NFL pre-Super Bowl Era, and the heroes of that era are reduced to a handful of guys whose records remain vital.

Let's just hope that Bednarik will remain vital for a little while longer.  Our thoughts are with him.