Bronko Nagurski was born on November 3, 1908 and attended International Falls (MN)
High School before going to the University of Minnesota from 1927 to 1929.  In 1930, he
played professional football for the Chicago Bears, and would cement his status as one of
the greatest fullbacks ever to play the game over nine seasons.  Nagurski played from
1930-'37, and then returned in 1943.  He was inducted into the College Football Hall of
Fame and the NFL Football Hall of Fame (1963).  Nagurski stood around 6'2" and
weighed 220-230.





The August 11, 1937 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle included a quote from
Nagurski, the current wrestling champion:  "If I ever lose my title, I will take up ping pong."




The United Press reported (11/27/43, Omaha World Herald) that Nagurski was going to
play fullback on Sunday against the Chicago Cardinals.  Officials said that the move
would've been made earlier, but Nagurski had been nursing a leg injury.  His return to
football after a five year retirement was considered "successful" so far.

On January 6, 1944, in a report in the Des Moines Register, Nagurski announced that he
was coming out of retirement to return to professional wrestling.  He hadn't wrestled since
May 1942 (when he suffered a serious knee injury) and planned to battle Ken Fenelon at
St. Paul the following Monday.  Nagurski said:  "I'm not sure this comeback is permanent,
but I know that I'm in as good shape as I ever was." He added:  "One thing, though.  I will
not travel any farther than the Twin Cities for any match."


The Los Angeles Examiner (6/12/1945) stated that Nagurski "has been turned down by
his draft board and is again wrestling for hsi bread and butter." Last season, he was an
assistant coach at UCLA.
























Research by Tim Hornbaker
Bronko Nagurski Wrestling History
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