Bronko Nagurski

  The tough hall of fame Running Back, Bronko Nagurski was born November 3, 1908 in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada. Bronko moved to International Falls, Minnesota. The tough Bronko Nagurski's real name Bronislau. Bronislau was a hard worker who helped out on his parents farm and sawmill. He was also delivering groceries to his dad's grocery store.

    Bronko was signed by Clarence "Fats" Spears, the Head Coach of the University of Minnesota. The coach drove up watching Nagurski plowing a field at International Falls. (Wikepidia)"According to legend Spears asked directions to the nearest town, and Bronko lifted his plow and used it to point in the direction of town." Bronko was signed to play for the Golden Gophers. On Bronko's very first practice, the team did a drill called the Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is a drill where there is a running back behind two Offensive Linemen blocking a linebacker who's tying to make the tackle. A 6'2, 210 pound fullback named the Owatonna Thunder was the runner, lined up behind two huge Offensive Lineman and Bronko Nagurski was the Line Backer. The big Running Back blasted toward Bronko. Bronko went straight through the two Offensive Linemen. Bronko smashed the heavy Running Back into a blocking dummy.

   Coach Spears did the same thing, adding another Offensive Lineman. Bronko also did the same thing tackling the Running Back. This showed Spears that they have a secret weapon. Bronko was a great college football player from the years of 1927-1929. He played on both Defense and as an Offensive Fullback. His best year was his last in 1929 when he rushed for 737 yards. Sports Illustrated name the four best players in Minnesota State. The list included Dave Winfield, Kevin McHale, Joe Mauer, and the great Bronko Naguski. Thanks to Nagurski all of the best defensive college athletes will be given an award called the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Derrick Johnson, Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervill, and Warren Sapp. 

   Bronko Nagurski's Rookie Card is worth over $25,000 in mint condition.

On ESPN Bronko Nagurski ranked #17 of the top 25 NCAA players. Bronko Nagurski was also on the NCAA All - Century team. He also won the Big-Ten Conference championship game. In 1930 Bronko was drafted by the George Halas and the Chicago Bears. One of the older players were teasing Nagurski about his strength. The player asked Bronko how he got so strong. Bronko responded "plowing fields." "That's nothing," Bronko's teammate said. "Most of us have plowed a field one time or another.""With out a horse?" Bronko asked.

   As most people know Nagurski is one of the most powerful Running Backs in the Hall of Fame. Bronko one time played a game at Wrigery Field and had an outstanding 35 yard run for a touchdown. Because he was running so fast he couldn't stop fast enough before he busted in the giant brick wall in back of the endzone. Ivy was on the brick wall covering a crack. A crack that was caused Bronko Nagurski from when he fired into the wall. A couple years after that "I don't know." "I have a feeling it was cracked years before, but I did hit it pretty hard."

   Since Bronko Nagurski was so athletic he couldn't only be good at one sport. He was also the best pro wrestler at his time. In 1933, Bronko started his amazing pro wrestling career with the National Wrestling Association. He won the NWA title twice defeating Lou Thesz on June 23, 1939. After losing to a wrestler named, Ray Steele, Bronko beat him years later against on March 11, 1941. In 2011 Bronko made it to the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.

     

Bronko Nagurski Wrestling Video

Nagurski was drafted to the army for World War II. In 1937, Nagurski was no longer a Chicago Bear. Years later he was done serving in the army and returned for his final season with Chicago Bears. He was done being a Running Back. He was moved to a Defensive Lineman. That year the Chicago Bears made it to the NFL Championship game vs. the Washington Redskins. Bronko, was for the first time that season, put at Running Back that season. In his very last game Bronko played his best and helped the Chicago Bears win the Championship. 

  At the end of his career, Bronko scored 25 Touch Downs, a 4.4 rushing yard average, and 2,778 rushing yards off of 633 carries. He was a 3 time NFL Champion, 50th Anniversary team, 75th Anniversary team, and had his two numbers (3 and 75) retired for the Chicago Bears. He ranked #19 on NFL Network's Top 100 NFL Players of All-Time and #60 on NFL Bench Warmer News's Top 100 NFL Players of All-Time. Bronko died in the year of 1970. Bronko was inducted to the Professional Boxing Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bronko Nagurski is one of the best athletes of all time.