Charles A. Napoli - 1954
One of the finest tackles in the history of Concord High/Concord-Carlisle High School football along with coinductee Dave DeRuzzo, Bruce Woodworth andJack O'Grady. A human bulldozer who meted out powerful doses of crushing contact, yet off the field he was as gentle and playful as a kitten.
Played on one of the greatest teams in Concord football history, the powerhouse 10-0-0 1953 club, Coach Bernie Megin's juggernaut that ranks with the '46, '49 and '51 teams at the top of the list of the Maroon and Gold's unbeaten and untied gridiron giants.
Above and beyond athletics, Napoli was a highly respected educator and an award winning
school principal who served the youth of two states, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He also was a superb high school line coach and head coach in football who led his Norwell team into a
Super Bowl.
Following college, Napoli built himself up to 270 pounds of pure Italian beef and he
played pro football in the Canadian League for the Montreal Alouettes.
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Napoli is one of the most beloved figures in the history of Brandeis University athletics. In fact, a trophy room inside the Gosman Sons and Convocation Center is named, "The
Charles Anthony Napoli Class of 1958 Trophy Room." On April I, he was posthumously inducted into the Brandeis Athletic Hall of Fame.
Following high school, Charlie blossomed into a feared, two way tackle for the Judges of Brandeis University. At Brandeis, he played with three fellow Concord Hall of Famers - Dave
Bouchard, the late John Hanley and AI Dougherty.
Charlie was effective blocking straight ahead, cross-blocking or pulling and leading a sweep. Pounding around the corner, he struck fear into the hearts of linebackers and defensive backs.
Despite his bulk, the big bear - Napoli - could move.
Napoli also was a big-heave shot putter for Coach W. Harold "Skip" O'Connor's outstanding track and field teams of that era.
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Sadly, Charlie died on Feb. 18, 1989. He was 52 years old.
