Al Chesley Explained

Al Chesley
Number:59, 57
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:23 August 1957
Birth Place:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:240
College:Pittsburgh
Draftyear:1979
Draftround:11
Draftpick:296
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Interceptions
Statvalue1:4
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:2.5
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue3:3
Pfr:ChesAl20

Albert Cornell Chesley (born August 23, 1957) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 11th round of the 1979 NFL draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh. Chesley is listed as the starting linebacker on the National Champion 1976 Pitt Panther squad.

Chesley was the Eagles starting inside linebacker in 1981, making 16 starts and recording two interceptions to go along with two fumble recoveries. He also had 133 tackles in 1981, but Philadelphia changed up their defensive scheme in 1982 with Chesley losing his starting spot. All told, Chesley played in 48 games while in Philadelphia. Chesley also was a member of the Chicago Bears.

After years of silence, Chesley came forward as a victim of sexual abuse as a child, at the hands of a neighborhood police officer. He was among a group of 200 men who appeared on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show holding pictures of themselves at the age when they began to suffer the abuse.[1]

Chesley is the brother of fellow NFL player Frank Chesley.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reeves. Anne. Anne McGraw Reeves: NFL retiree Al Chesley still bears scars of sex abuse. 25 March 2012. PennLive. 4 March 2019.
  2. News: Athletic Excellence One Branch On the Chesleys' Family Tree . . Huff . Donald . September 24, 1982 . February 5, 2024 . April 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220417133917/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1982/09/24/athletic-excellence-one-branch-on-the-chesleys-family-tree/a689f3bd-7b97-439e-bef0-65b042d701a1/ . live .