Bronislau Bronko Nagurski
Bronko Nagurski was born in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, on November 3, 1908 and moved to International Falls in 1912. He was the second of six children. Bronko Nagurski began his high school football career in 1923 under Coach Ralph J. Baker. Following the 1924-25 school year, Bronko transferred to Bemidji, MN. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1926 and played under Coach Clarence "Doc" Spears. Freshmen were ineligible to play varsity football, so he spent the 1926 season practicing against the varsity. During the following three years, Bronko became a star player at Minnesota. His versatility led to All-American honors. In 1929, he was the only player ever named All-American at two positions, fullback and tackle. Following an outstanding college career, Bronko signed to play professional football for the Chicago Bears and Coach/Owner George Halas in 1930.
Bronko's professional football career was a continuation of his play for the Gophers. He was a star two-way player for the Chicago Bears. Following the 1937 season and two professional championships, Bronko retired from professional football to pursue other
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In 1943, World War II had caused a shortage of professional players. At age 35, Bronko returned to the Bears and led them to another championship season. Bronko Nagurski's outstanding career led to numerous honors. Among them are:
All-NFL fullback 1932, 1933, 1934Bronko Nagurski died on January 7, 1990, at the age of 81.
Charter Member College Football Hall of Fame
Charter Member Professional Football Hall of Fame
Professional Football All-Time Professional Team, 1963
NCAA All-Time All-American Team, 1969
Associated Press honors him as one of the greatest football players 1900-1950
Bronco Athletic Hall of Fame, 2012.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is November 3, 1908.
Location. 48° 36.025′ N, 93° 25.118′ W. Marker is in International Falls, Minnesota, in Koochiching County. It is on 3rd Street (Voyageur Highway) (U.S. 71) just south of 12th Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is mounted above eye-level on the front/south facade of the Sports Stadium (International Falls High School Football Field). Touch for map. Marker is in this post
Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Frank Butch Larson (here, next to this marker); Stuart Nordquist (here, next to this marker); Sports Stadium (here, next to this marker); Frank Youso (a few steps from this marker); Bronko Nagurski Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Jim Crotty (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Smokey Bear Park (approx. half a mile away); Bronko Nagurski (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in International Falls.
Also see . . . Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Canadian-American professional football player who was a fullback and defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Renowned for his strength and size, Nagurski was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time World Heavyweight Champion.(Submitted on February 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Nagurski had the largest recorded NFL Championship ring size at 19½ and wore a size-8 helmet. He was probably the largest running back of his time, bigger than most linemen of the day, often dragging multiple tacklers with him. A time-honored and perhaps apocryphal story about Nagurski is a scoring gallop that he made against the Washington Redskins, knocking two linebackers in opposite directions, stomping a defensive back and crushing a safety, then bouncing off the goalposts and cracking Wrigley Field's brick wall. On returning to the huddle for the extra point try, he reportedly said: "That last guy hit me awfully hard."
Tony Stecher, brother of former world champion Joe Stecher, introduced Nagurski to wrestling in 1933 and became his manager. Nagurski defeated Tag Tagerson in his ring debut. Hitting his peak in the late 1930s, Nagurski won a limited version of the world championship by defeating Dean Detton on June 29, 1937. But he finally achieved full recognition with his first National Wrestling Association world title by defeating Lou Thesz on June 23, 1939.
His home town's International Falls high school team is nicknamed the Broncos in his honor.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
