University of Minnesota Athletics
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Bronko Nagurski
7/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota's seventh and most recent inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be former Gopher quarterback Tony Dungy, who will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 6, 2016.
Dungy played for the Gophers from 1973-76 and was the team captain in 1976. After his collegiate career, Dungy signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1978, he intercepted six passes, second-best in the AFC, and helped the Steelers defeat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII. Dungy was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2002-08 and led the Colts to their first Super Bowl title in 2007.
Leading up to Dungy's induction, we will take a look back at the former Gophers who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Today, we look at Bronko Nagurski.
Bronko Nagurski feature story from Oct. 27, 1979 game program
Bronko Nagurski is widely considered to be the best college football player of all time.
The former Gopher is the only player who has been named to two positions on the same All-America team. In 1929, his senior year at Minnesota, he was voted to the first team at both tackle and fullback. In addition, he was named to some All-America teams as an end.
Nagurski was a star at Minnesota from 1927-29 and lead the Gophers to an 18-4-2 record during that time. Minnesota's four losses came by a combined five points.
After his time at Minnesota, Nagurski went on to play for the Chicago Bears from 1930-37. Nagurski was a dominate force in Chicago and helped the Bears win NFL championships in 1932 and 1933.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and in 1963, he was unanimously elected to charter membership in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1991 - a year after his death - he was a member of the inaugural class of the M Club Hall of Fame.
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Bobby Bell