Eagles legend Bednarik out of hospital, son-in-law says

Published: Mar 30, 2011 at 11:49 AM

Pro Football Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik was released from a Pennsylvania hospital Tuesday night, the *Philadelphia Daily News* reported.

Bednarik, 85, was listed in serious condition after he was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa. last week with shortness of breath.

"He was a little anemic and dehydrated," son-in-law Ken Safarowic, a spokesman for the Bednarik family, told the Daily News. "I don't think it was any one significant issue. A bunch of things just ganged up on him at the same time. The heart and organs weren't affected. He's in a good shape otherwise."

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

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

Safarowic said the family was overwhelmed by the amount of phone calls they've received from Bednarik's former teammates and the Hall of Fame.

"We've got to hang on to him for a while," Safarowic said. "There are not many guys from that era. Chuck has another game-saving tackle left in him."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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