This day in wrestling history is one that’s from the football and professional wrestling fan in me as we remember the great Bronko Naguski as he passed away on January 7, 1990 at 81 years old.
Born Bronislau Nagurski on November 3, 1908 in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, he earned the nickname Bronko for his play as a fullback at the University of Minnesota and later the Chicago Bears.
A cool footnote to his past is that while he’s most known for his Hall of Fame career with the Bears, Bronko also wrestled.
More than expected
Bronko played for the Chicago Bears from 1930 to 1937 and 1943. He originally retired in 1937, but because the Bears were shorthanded due to World War II, he returned in 1943 to play tackle before retiring again later that year.
Bronko was a beast on the field and he was arguably the biggest running back of the time as he stood 6’2 and weighed 232 pounds and he had no problem in running people over whether he carried the ball or blocked for the runner.
Then starting in 1933, he doubled as a professional wrestler had had a solid career that lasted until his retirement there in 1960.. During that time, he defeated Lou Thez to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
An impressive accomplishment for anyone, let alone a two sport athlete. He remained champion for nine months before Ray Steels defeated him, but he’d win the title back the following year.
He continued wrestling part time until 1944 following his time as an assistant coach for the UCLA Bruins, and after that he switched to wrestling full time.
What a legacy
Bronko’s sports accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed as he was a member of Pro Football’s Hall of Fame class in 1963 along with (courtesy of ESPN.com) Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, Ernie Nevers, Sammy Baugh, Don Hutson, Dutch Clark, Johnny McNally, Mel Hein, Cal Hubbard, Pete Henry as players.
The officials that were also in that class were Bert Bell, Joe Carr, George Halas, Curly Lambeau, Tim Mara, and George Preston Marshall.
Bronko was also inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and was in the inaugural class for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
Crossing over from one sport to another is never easy, and it only adds to the greatness Bronko Nagurski personified, and it’s an honor to remember him on this day in wrestling history.
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