NAGURSKI, BRONKO

born Nov. 30, 1908, Rainy River, Ont., Can. died Jan. 7, 1990, International Falls, Minn., U.S. byname of Bronislaw Nagurski American collegiate and professional football player, who was named All-American at tackle in 1929. Nagurski played tackle and end on defense and fullback on offense at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis; 192729). He joined the National Football League (NFL) Chicago Bears in 1930 and played fullback through 1937, when he retired because of a salary dispute and the unwillingness of the Bears management to allow him to wrestle professionally. He continued to wrestle until 1942 and returned to the Bears in 1943 for a final season. He helped the Bears win NFL championships in 1932, 1933, and 1943. After he retired from football he owned a gas station at International Falls, Minn. He was elected to the football Hall of Fame in 1963.