Member Biography

Joe Stydahar made a habit of ripping enemy offenses asunder, crashing through the line to deliver bone-crunching tackles or to harass the opposing quarterback. As a senior in 1935, Stydahar performed so well that he was asked to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the College All-Star Game in Chicago. Jay Berwanger, the first Heisman Trophy winner, playing in the backfield on those All-Star teams had this to say about Stydahar: "I played in two all-star games with him and thought he was the best tackle by far of that collegiate group. He proved to me in those two games that he was a tremendous player." Years later, Joe's talents were still being recognized and he was named to the Helms Hall of Fame and Sports Illustrated's Silver Anniversary team. Following graduation, Stydahar signed with the Chicago Bears and played for the next 11 seasons, making All-Pro four straight years. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he returned to become head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. Under Stydahar's guidance, the Rams won the Western Division title in 1950 and the world championship in 1951.