Bronislau “Bronko” Nagurski

Bronko Nagurski was born in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, on November 3, 1908, and moved to International Falls in 1912. The second of six children, he began his high school football career in 1923 under Coach Ralph J. Baker. After the 1924-25 school year, he transferred to Bemidji, Minnesota. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1926 and played under Coach Clarence "Doc" Spears. Because freshmen were ineligible for varsity football, he spent the 1926 season practicing against the varsity, then became a star player at Minnesota during the next three years. His versatility brought him All-American honors, and in 1929 he was the only player ever named All-American at two positions, fullback and tackle. After an outstanding college career, he signed with the Chicago Bears and Coach-Owner George Halas in 1930. His professional career continued the level of play he had shown for the Gophers, and he became a star two-way player for the Bears. After the 1937 season and two professional championships, he retired from professional football to pursue other interests. In 1943, with World War II creating a shortage of professional players, Nagurski returned to the Bears at age 35 and led them to another championship season. His career brought numerous honors, including All-NFL fullback in 1932, 1933, and 1934, charter membership in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Professional Football Hall of Fame, selection to the Professional Football All-Time Professional Team in 1963, selection to the NCAA All-Time All-American Team in 1969, recognition by the Associated Press as one of the greatest football players of 1900-1950, and induction into the Bronco Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. Bronko Nagurski died on January 7, 1990, at the age of 81.

International Falls, Minnesota · United States