University of Minnesota Athletics
Nagurski Honored as Big Ten Icon
9/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Big Ten Network has named Minnesota's Bronko Nagurski as Big Ten Icons number 21. Big Ten Icons, presented by Discover, is the network's most ambitious multi-platform initiative to date. The program is counting down the top 50 student-athletes in Big Ten history on www.BigTenIcons.com based solely on their collegiate playing careers.
Nagurski was elected as charter member when the College Football Hall of Fame opened its doors in 1951 and no less of an authority than Red Grange called Nagurski "the best football player of all-time." Born in Rainy River, Ontario, but raised in International Falls, Minn,. Nagurski played four positions for the Golden Gophers from 1927-29. In those three seasons, the Gophers posted an 18-4-2 mark and captured the 1927 Big Ten title. In the fourth quarter of a 1928 victory against Wisconsin, he recovered a fumble, carried for the go-ahead touchdown, and intercepted a pass on the Badgers' final possession to seal the win for Minnesota. In 1929, he became the first player in college football history to earn All-America honors at two positions.
In an essay for www.BigTenIcons.com, McGrath wrote, "He remains a symbol of tough, punishing, physical football."
To read the full essay and to watch a video feature on Nagurski, visit his Big Ten Icons locker at www.BigTenIcons.com.
Icons 50 through 21 are profiled at www.BigTenIcons.com. The website also features essays, video and other key facts about each student-athletes' career. Viewers can also participate in the "Talk of the Locker Room" contest with a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize. Weekly winners will take home a 55-inch Philips HD television.
The television show, hosted by legendary college sports broadcaster Keith Jackson, debuts Sept. 18 following a Big Ten Network football telecast in which Icon No. 20 will be revealed. The countdown continues at 9 PM ET every Tuesday night through the end of football season and into the spring. The No. 1 Big Ten Icon will be revealed around the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament.
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