Philadelphia Eagles legend Chuck Bednarik realizes he will likely be forever labeled as "the man" who nearly ended the career of New York Giants star halfback Frank Gifford. However, in his heart and throughout his 14-year career with the Eagles that lasted from 1949 to 1962, Bednarik says he played the game just one way: Mean and Clean!

Bednarik's hit on November 20, 1960 at Yankee Stadium left Gifford with a severe concussion that forced him to sit out the remainder of the 1960 season and all of the following season before returning to the Giants in 1962.

"I saw (Gifford) coming across the field 'running a down and in' and running those patterns are dangerous. That's like a Volkswagen going down a one-way street with a truck coming the opposite way! His head snapped and the ball flew in the air, (linebacker) Chuck Weber fell on it. And I knew the game was over. I had no idea where Frank Gifford was, and when I saw Weber recover the fumble with one minute remaining in the game I pumped my fist and said 'This (bleeping) game is over,'" said Bednarik.

The legendary photo of Chuck Bednarik standing over Frank Gifford

"On the picture, of the hit, it would appear I'm gloating over him, but I had no idea where (Gifford) was on the field. I wasn't gloating over him," said Bednarik.

The Eagles won the game 17-10 and it was another step on the road towards the NFL Championship. Forty-seven years have passed since that devastating hit. Believe it or not, the two members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame have nothing but respect for one another.

"We get along O.K. The only reason the hit received so much attention is because I did it in New York," said Bednarik. "But it was a good, hard, clean hit. I did not like the fact that when he told his wife [Kathie Lee] you're going to hear a lot about this guy Chuck Bednarik. She replied: Chuck Bednarik? Is that some type of pasta?"

Bednarik still watches the professional game in which he once individually dominated. However, the NFL has changed drastically since the last time he put on an Eagles uniform. Bednarik earned $15,000 during the 1960 season. Enough said.

"I still love the game of football itself. But I have a tough time watching the NFL today, because of some of the showboating that takes place," said Bednarik. "But I realize it's a different type of NFL having more media and players in the league. I would have made a lot more money playing in the NFL today."

In fact, one of the few times Bednarik actually did celebrate an accomplishment was during the 1960 NFL Championship Game against legendary head coach Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers, a game in which Bednarik eclipsed legendary status. In that title game the 35-year-old Bednarik was on the field for 139 of 142 plays having played both center on offense and linebacker on defense. He also snapped on punts, extra points and field goals. He was on the field for 58 minutes in the championship game and it was his game saving tackle on fullback Jim Taylor that sent the Eagles fans in attendance at Franklin Field and beyond into an absolute frenzy. 

The Eagles led 17-13 in the closing seconds, but the Packers had the ball at the Eagles' 22-yard line ready to line up for the last play of the game. The Eagles defense had everyone covered in the end zone so (Green Bay Quarterback) Bart Starr threw a short pass to Taylor, who was running toward the end zone when Bednarik encountered him at the 9-yard line.

"The tackle I made on (Jim) Taylor was the greatest play I ever made," said Bednarik. "When I saw him swing out of the backfield I took off. After catching the (Bart Starr) pass I tackled him to the ground and started watching the clock: four... three ... two ... one. Then I looked at (Taylor) who was trying to get up, and when the clock hit zero, I said to Taylor, 'You can get-up now, this game is (bleeping) over! I thought I deserved the right to celebrate a little because we just won the 1960 NFL Championship!"

The No. 1 overall draft choice's 14 seasons with the Eagles is a team record. He missed only three games in his career (two of those in his rookie year) and places second only to wide receiver Harold Carmichael for most games played (169) in an Eagles career. He also had the distinction of being a two-way player throughout the 1950s. He holds the Eagles' franchise record for most Pro Bowl appearances (8) and was named Pro Bowl game MVP in 1954. His number 60 was retired by the Eagles, and he was inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and the Eagles Honor Roll in 1987.

It was only fitting that the Eagles great, the last of the 60-minute men, earned a spot on the Philadelphia Eagles' 75th Anniversary Team. He was honored as both the best center and middle linebacker in franchise history. Bednarik was simply overjoyed during the ceremony which took place on Sept. 23, 2007.

Bednarik in Philadelphia for the 75th Anniversary Celebration

Currently residing in Coopersburg, Pa. with his long-time bride Emma, the couple raised five daughters and is now enjoying the company of 10 grandchildren.   Bednarik, who was nicknamed "Concrete Charlie" because he sold concrete during and after his football career, is still associated with athletics today.

"I have been the long-time Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission overseeing both the sports of boxing and wrestling.  I love those two sports.  I'm also a big fan of the Lehigh University Wrestling team," said Bednarik who was the 1948 recipient of the Maxwell Award, which honors the nation's Most Outstanding College Football Player starring at the University of Pennsylvania. "I love all those Ivy league schools because they stress the importance of the student-athlete."

The 82-year-old, who had studied to become a teacher and football coach in college, is also an avid fan of the History Channel having once served as a World War II B-24 liberator. He is also a devout Catholic who goes to Saint Joseph's Church in Limeport, Pa. every single morning at 8:00 A.M. 

"I am a big believer in heaven. I have so much to be thankful for throughout my life, and they probably play some great football up there too," laughed Bednarik.

Hopefully the game is played the only way "Concrete Charlie" knows how to play it: Mean and Clean!