University of Minnesota Athletics
Bronko Naguski
9/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Bronko Nagurski |
The son of Ukranian immigrants, Bronko Nagurski grew up in International Falls, Minn., and came to the University of Minnesota in 1927, playing tackle, fullback, defensive end, offensive end, linebacker and even quarterback from time to time as well. So talented was the powerful Nagurski that sportswriters decided after his senior season that he was the best fullback and tackle in the nation, making him the only player in college football history ever to be named a first-team consensus All-American at two different positions in the same season. Over his illustrious three year career in Gold Country, the Gophers lost a total of just four games, and none by more than two points.
In the fall of 1930, he graduated and became THE "Monster of the Midway," literally, when he signed on with the NFL's Chicago Bears. The Bronk went on to reach superstar status in the Windy City, where he would lead the team to three NFL Championships during his eight-year pro gridiron tenure. Nagurski, who dabbled in pro wrestling throughout his football career, also won several world heavyweight title belts from 1933-41 as well.
A six-time All-Pro, Bronk retired from football in 1943 with 242 points scored on 4,301 yards rushing. The Bears retired his No. 3 to further honor his legacy. He would later retire to International Falls, where he owned and operated a filling station.
Among his many honors and accolades, he is a charter member of the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame, and in 1969, was elected to be the Football Writers Association of America's All-Time team. In 1995, he was honored when college football's Defensive Player of the Year award was renamed as the "Nagurski Trophy."
In 1979, his no. 72 was retired by the U of M, and Sports Illustrated later named Bronko as Minnesota's Greatest Athlete of the Century. He was even named as the "Best Football Player of the First Half Century."
Furthermore, in 1992, International Falls honored its most famous son by opening the "Bronko Nagurski Museum," the only museum in America dedicated to a single player. Perhaps his biggest honor, however, came when his high school renamed themselves as the International Falls "Broncos" in his memory.
M Club Hall of Fame