Edgar “Eggs” Manske defied the odds and physical limits of his era as the last college football player to compete without a helmet.
Football Bio
July 4, 1912 – Nekoosa, Wisconsin – Edgar Manske,Β the legendary Northwestern end from 1931 to 1933, was born.
The National Football Foundation says this player had a lot going for him. He worked his way through college, married a campus beauty queen, and was the last man to play football without a helmet.
Manske was known to friends and opponents alike as βEggs.β He played three years at end for Northwestern and was named All-America by United Press in 1933.
With no athletic scholarships available in that era, Manske worked his butt off during the school year. He even continued his education after graduating from Northwestern and obtained a law degree.
The NFF bio goes on to say that his life took a different turn after his Northwestern education. He spent 1934 as assistant coach at Boston University, played pro football 1935-1940, and was with the Chicago Bears when they beat Washington 73-0 in the 1940 championship game.
That was his last pro game, but he played in 1942 with St. Mary’s Preflight School and was All-Service All-America. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Edgar Manske in its legendary museum in 1989.
Edgar Manske forged a lasting legacy on the gridiron through sheer grit and determination. He secured his place in football history by achieving the highest honors in college, excelling in the professional ranks, and serving his country with distinction.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1989.
- First-Team All-American: Named to the United Press International All-America team in 1933.
- All-Big Ten: Selected to the Second-team All-Big Ten in 1933.
- Northwestern MVP: Named team Most Valuable Player in 1933.
- NFL Champion: Won the 1940 NFL Championship with the Chicago Bears in a historic 73-0 victory.
- All-Pro: Earned Second-Team All-Pro honors as a rookie in 1935.
- NFL Statistical Leader: Led the NFL in touchdown fumble returns (1938) and touchdown interception returns (1937).
- All-Service All-America: Honored in 1942 while playing for the Navy at St. Mary’s Preflight School.