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Bronko Nagurski Collection M/A 1998.09.01
| Creator: | Nagurski, Bronko, 1908-1990 |
| Title: | Bronko Nagurski Collection |
| Dates: | 1928-1999 |
| Quantity: | 1.0 boxes |
| Repository: | James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library |
Biography
Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was born in Rainy River, Ontario on November 3, 1908 to parents of of Polish-Ukrainian descent. His parents moved to International Falls, Minnesota when he was a young boy.
It was there that Nagurski was spotted by a scout for the University of Minnesota's football team. He played as both a defensive tackle and a fullback for the University of Minnesota from 1927 to 1929. In 1929 he was named to the All-American team at both positions.
Nagurski went on to play for the Chicago Bears from 1930 to 1939, playing as a fullback, offensive tackle, and defensive tackle. He was considered one of the most imposing players of the day and was named to the All-NFL team five different years (1932-1934, 1936-1937). He led the Bears to two NFL championships and even threw the winning touchdown in the 1933 NFL Championship game. Nagurski left the Chicago Bears in 1937, though briefly rejoined the team in 1943 and helped lead them to another championship. During this same time Nagurski was also a championship wrestler, winning the title of world heavyweight champion three times.
Nagurski retired from wrestling in 1960 and spent the rest of his life in quiet retirement near his birthplace of Rainy Lake, Ontario. Nagurski was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 and is still consistently included on lists of the greatest football players of all time.
Nagurski died on January 7, 1990 in International Falls, Minnesota.
Collection Description
The collection consists of 8 folders containing newspaper clippings on Nagurski's days with the University of Minnesota and Chicago Bears as well as articles on his death in 1990 and several subsequent memorials.
Subject Headings
Corporate Bodies
Chicago Bears. (Football team)
Minnesota Golden Gophers. (Football team)
Minnesota Vikings. (Football team)
Subjects
Football--Minnesota.
Football Players--Minnesota.
Sports--Minnesota.
Table of Contents
| Clippings 1928-1931 -- Box 1, Folder 1 |
| Clippings 1932-1935 -- Box 1, Folder 2 |
| Clippings 1936-1937 -- Box 1, Folder 3 |
| Clippings 1938-1939 -- Box 1, Folder 4 |
| Clippings 1940-1946 -- Box 1, Folder 5 |
| Clippings 1953-1985 -- Box 1, Folder 6 |
| Clippings 1990-1999 -- Box 1, Folder 7 |
| Miscellaneous 1984 -- Box 1, Folder 8 | |||||||||||
| Scope and Contents note | |||||||||||
| Contains a mail advertisement for a collectable Bronko Nagurski plate. | |||||||||||
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