Bronko Nagurski

Bronko Nagurski (1908-90), American professional football player who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Noted for his physical strength, both as an offensive running back and as a defensive tackle, he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1963.

Born Bronislaw Nagurski in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, Nagurski was raised in International Falls, Minnesota, and attended the University of Minnesota (1927-29), where he was selected as an All-American. He joined the Chicago Bears in 1930 and played as fullback and defensive tackle. In the 1932 NFL championship game against the Portsmouth Spartans, Nagurski won the game and the title for the Bears with a disputed pass to teammate Red Grange. As a result, before the 1933 season, the NFL changed its rules on passing. The Bears, with Nagurski, won again in 1933.

Nagurski retired after the 1937 season to concentrate on professional wrestling. In 1943, when professional football teams were short of players because of World War II (1939-45), Nagurski returned to the Bears for one season and scored a touchdown in the Bears' championship victory against the Washington Redskins. He then returned to wrestling until his retirement in 1960.