University of Minnesota Athletics
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Leo Nomellini
7/28/2016 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 Leo Nomellini.
Leo Nomellini
It was an unusual route to Gopher football for Leo Nomellini, who passed in 2000. He grew up in a tough neighborhood outside Chicago after being born in Italy and never played high school football. He learned the game while stationed in North Carolina when enlisted with the Marines.
After active duty included Nomellini enrolled as a 22-year-old freshman at Minnesota and went on to be a three-time All-Big Ten tackle and a two-time All-American. In 1949 he anchored a defense that allowed just 80 points all season.
On top of football "The Lion" was a Big Ten heavyweight champion in wrestling and threw shot put in track while also being the anchor man on the 440-year relay team.
After graduating in 1950, Nomellini was the first-ever draft pick of the new San Francisco 49ers. He played 174 consecutive regular season games in a 14-year career as a two-way lineman. He was a ten time Pro-Bowl pick and was one of few to be named All-Pro on both offense and defense. The 49ers retired Nomellini's No. 73. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
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Bobby Bell
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