Member Biography

Bronko Nagurski was born November 3, 1908 and died January 7, 1990. He was the son of Ukranian immigrant parents. They were farmers in Canada and moved to International Falls, Minnesota, in 1904. He was baptized Bronislau Nagurski but friends had trouble pronouncing his first name, and he was universally known as Bronko. At the University of Minnesota he played the 1927 season at tackle. In 1928 and 1929, he started six games at tackle and 10 as fullback. In 1929, he was consensus choice as All-America tackle. In 1969, he was named tackle on the all-time All- America team picked by the Football Writers Association. Playing fullback in 1928 against Wisconsin, he scored a touchdown with six tacklers trying to hold him. In 1929, against Iowa he was in the lineup at five positions - end, tackle, guard, halfback and fullback. Minnesota had a record of 18- 4-2 in his time. At 6-2, 217-pounds, he became the Chicago Bears fullback 1930-37, came out of retirement for an additional season in 1943. He was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.