Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff: 3 Days with Bronko Nagurski

Tonight, the NFL is officially back, and fans of all teams will rejoice to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Detroit Lions. For the majority of teams, the Chicago Bears included, they will have to wait a little longer, precisely three days, to make their season debuts. To celebrate, today's installment of Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff brings us to the life and career of the best player in franchise history to don the number three, Hall of Famer Bronko Nagurski.

Chicago Bears Add Minnesota Star Bronko Nagurski in 1930

Hailing originally from Rainy River, Ontario, Bronislau Nagurski was born to Ukrainian immigrants, who quickly moved the family to Minnesota. Nagurski quickly picked up the nickname "Bronko" amongst his friends, who struggled to pronounce his true name, and the monicker would stick with him throughout his life. The son of a farming family, Nagurski frequently helped his parents in their duties, and it helped shape both his hard-working mentality and physicality throughout his career.

In high school, Nagurski played football, wrestled, and boxed, and his athleticism as a teenager is the stuff of legend. Allegedly, Nagurksi would run both ways on his four-mile commute to the school, and his work on his parent's farm made him one of the strongest and toughest players in his area.

It was his work on the farm, not the gridiron, that opened the doors for Nagurski to attend the University of Minnesota. Head coach Clarence Spears was conducting in-state scouting when he stumbled upon Nagurski, who plowed an entire field by himself without any help. Upon seeing this feat of athleticism, the Gophers head coach quickly offered Nagurski an opportunity to join the school's football program. Nagurski accepted, and enrolled in the school in the fall of 1926.

Nagurski was not able to join the varsity squad officially until the following year, where he played fullback and offensive tackle. In his first season, Nagurksi was used sparingly, but by the 1928 season, the Ontario native became the team's full-time starting fullback and was a consistent factor on the offensive line.

One of the most versatile players of his era, Nagurski frequently played multiple positions in a single game, including five separate positions in a bout versus the University of Iowa. His best season came as a senior when he was selected as an All-American as an offensive tackle. In his three years at Minnesota, Nagurski helped his team secure an 18-4-2 cumulative record, but following the 1929 season, it was time for the standout to look for employment in the NFL.

Nagurski was a highly thought of college player and with George Halas and the Chicago Bears so close by, Papa Bear was willing to offer the Golden Gopher a grand $300 per game, a ridiculous contract for a rookie at the time (Nagurski would end up taking a pay cut due to the effects of the Great Depression). In his first two years with the team, Nagurski combined for seven touchdowns in 23 appearances, but was used in more of a reserve role with Red Grange already being an established rusher on the roster.

Bronko Nagurski Wins Multiple Championships as Chicago Bears Fullback

However, by the 1932 season, Nagurski became the team's leading rusher, putting together a 533-yard and four-touchdown season. His rushing touchdown total was the best in the NFL, and he added two touchdowns as a passer en route to leading the team to a 7-1-6 record, strong enough for a first-place division finish.

In the ensuing NFL Championship game, the Bears prevailed over the Portsmouth Spartans. The only touchdown of the day was a short pass from Nagurski to Grange, sealing the team's second championship.

The win was only the start of the Chicago Bears' dominance over the decade, as Nagurski would become a standout player in the early years of the league. In 1933, Nagurski again accomplished 533 yards and helped his team reach a second consecutive championship game, where the Bears won 23-21, thanks to two touchdown passes from the Minnesota product.

The following year, Nagurski helped the team post their best record in franchise history, 13-0. On the year, Nagurski posted nine touchdowns, including two in the air, to help the team reach their third straight Championship game. There, the team unfortunately lost to the New York Giants, but the back punched in a goalline touchdown early in the game to help the effort.

Coming off of the team's disappointing championship game loss, the Bears were still viewed as one of the top teams in the league, but a season-ending injury to Nagurski after just five games would ultimately greatly hinder the team's offense, finishing with a 6-4-2 record, the franchise's lowest win total in six seasons. The shortened season marked just the second time in his since Grange's retirement that Nagurski did not lead the team in rushing.

Nagurski was fully healthy by the start of the following season, and he was able to return to being one of the top weapons in the league. In 11 games, the fullback recorded 541 total yards and four total touchdowns, including one through the air. Nagurski was again the team's leading rusher, but a 9-3 record had the team narrowly missing postseason play for just the second time in five years.

By his age-29 season, the wear and tear of the game began to catch up to Nagurski. He was able to play in all 10 games, even making eight starts, but he had his least productive fully healthy season. With 343 yards and a touchdown, the back was able to help the Bears win the division once again, and the team punched their ticket to the 1937 NFL Championship. The team would ultimately lose a one-possession game, and Nagurski was unable to score during the contest, making the first such championship game in his four separate appearances.

Following the loss, Nagurski retired from the NFL after an eight-year career. However, six years later, the Chicago Bears' roster would become depleted due to players being militarized during the Second World War. The team had an absence of talent, and Halas reached out to Nagurski to see if he would be interested in making a comeback. Nagurski accepted and joined the team ahead of the 1943 season, where he would ultimately serve mainly as an offensive tackle.

Despite primarily playing on the line, Nagurski finished the season with a touchdown and helped the team post an 8-1-1 record, the best in their division. The team had been on a role since Nagurski's retirement, and the 1943 Championship appearance marked the franchise's fourth appearance in as many seasons.

In a revamped offense, Sid Luckman did most of the heavy lifting, but Nagurski punched in a three-yard touchdown to help the team beat Washington 41-21. After the game, Nagurski re-retired, marking the game and his touchdown as the last of his career.

Bronko Nagurski Retires (Again), Legacy with Chicago Bears

In a nine-year career with the Bears, Nagurski contributed over 3,300 yards and 32 total touchdowns. Despite serving as an offensive tackle consistently throughout his career, Nagurski's rushing total is ranked within the top 15 in Chicago Bears history, just below full-time rushers Ronnie Bull and Matt Suhey. His rushing touchdown total is the ninth-best in team history.

After stepping away from the NFL for the second time, Nagurski received a number of awards and recognitions, including having both his professional and collegiate numbers retired and a nomination to the 1930's All-Decade Team. Additionally, Nagurski was named to both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Professional Hall of Fame in 1951 and 1963, respectively. Years later, Nagurski would even have a collegiate award named after him, which is given annually to the nation's premier defensive player.

Professionally, Nagurski remained a figure in the sporting landscape following his retirement from football. The former Bear enjoyed a successful professional wrestling career, where he won multiple titles and was considered one of the biggest box-office pulls of the era. Nagurksi would go on to enjoy a nearly 30-year career as a wrestler that even overlapped the latter years of his football career.

In 1960, Nagurski stepped away from wrestling and officially retired from all professional sports. In the latter years of his life, the former Gopher returned to Minnesota, where he raised a large family with his wife Eileen. His eldest son, Bronko Jr., became a professional football player himself, landing in the CFL after playing his collegiate seasons at the University of Notre Dame. Unfortunately, in 1993, Nagurski lost his life to cardiac arrest at his home in Minnesota.

93 years after his rookie season, Nagurski is still considered not only one of the best players in franchise history but is respected as being one of the toughest players in the history of the league. A four-time All-Pro, few players have dominated the league as Nagurski did, and his three NFL Championship rings speak to how impactful he was to a young Chicago Bears franchise.