By Darin 
Before the modern era of specialized protectors, one man dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for sixty grueling minutes. Joe Stydahar, a 6’4″ titan from West Virginia University, brought a blend of size and speed to the gridiron that left even the first Heisman winner in awe. Whether crashing through offensive lines or clearing paths for the Chicago Bears, Stydahar’s raw power and disdain for the safety of a helmet made him the ultimate “Ironman.” Discover the journey of the first player ever drafted into the NFL to earn a gold jacket in Canton.
Unknown author – The Monticola (West Virginia University yearbook), 1936, page 103, via Wikimedia Commons.
Football Bio
March 17, 1912 – Kaylor, Pennsylvania – Joe Stydahar, the tremendous two-way tackle from West Virginia University from 1933 to 1935, was born. The FootballFoundation.org tells how Stydahar regularly dismantled opposing offenses and wreaked havoc.
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.”
The College Football Hall of Fame inducted Joe Stydahar in 1972. After school, the Chicago Bears used their top pick in the 1936 NFL Draft to select Joe. Stydahar played in Chicago for 9 seasons as a two-way player who seldom left the field for coach George Halas. He made the All-NFL team in five straight seasons and often didn’t wear a helmet in games. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Joe Stydahar in 1967. Joe later became the head coach of the LA Rams and then the Chicago Cardinals.
Conclusion
Joe Stydahar’s impact on football spans across the collegiate, professional, and coaching ranks. As a cornerstone of the legendary “Monsters of the Midway,” he proved that durability was just as important as dominance, frequently playing every snap of a game. His legacy as the Chicago Bears’ first-ever draft pick remains a high-water mark for the franchise, eventually leading him to championships as both a player and a head coach. In an era of grit, “Jumbo Joe” stood tallest, leaving an indelible mark on the sport that earned him a permanent place in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1967 (The first-ever NFL drafted player to be enshrined).
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1972.
- 3× NFL Champion: Won titles as a player with the Chicago Bears in 1940, 1941, and 1946.
- NFL Championship (Coach): Led the Los Angeles Rams to the title in 1951.
- 4× First-Team All-Pro: (1937, 1938, 1939, 1940).
- NFL 1930s All-Decade Team: Recognized as one of the premier tackles of the era.
- WVU Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1991.
- NCAA Record Holder: Blocked a still-standing school record of seven punts in a single season (1934).
- Historical Milestone: The Chicago Bears’ first-ever draft pick (1936 NFL Draft, 6th overall).
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team: Honored as one of the greatest players in league history.
