Bronko Is Champion of Multiple Sports

Our Newspapers.com Football History Headline of the Day comes from the June 24, 1939 edition of the Santa Rosa Republican in Santa Rosa, California when they printed the headline of:

Bronko Nagurski former Grid Star wins from Thesz.

The article below recounts the June 23, 1939, bout in which future Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Bronko Nagurski defeated Lou Thesz in Houston, Texas, to become the National Wrestling Association's World Heavyweight Champion. The piece recounts how Nagurski scored the first fall via an airplane spin and subsequent drop kick in the wrestling ring, a move he had learned from his football training. Later, Bronko is reported to have used a reverse slam and a series of "flying mares" to overcome Thesz and pin him, thereby taking the title.

Nagurski was later coerced during World War II to come out of retirement and rejoin the Chicago Bears when there were player shortages on the pro gridiron. He even helped lead the Bears to an NFL title in a triumphant return. Bronko Nagurski is not only in the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames but is in the Wrestling Hall of Fame as well.

As summer continues its stride, the football season may be months away, but American football history is a continuous narrative, with intriguing events unfolding on every calendar day. This series delves into the moments and forgotten narratives that have shaped the sport on June 23rd throughout the years.

From the quiet birthdays of influential figures to significant off-season decisions, draft movements, or even the subtle shifts in organizational structure that laid the groundwork for future success, June 23rd offers a unique glimpse into football's evolving story. We'll explore moments that might not grab headlines but were crucial in their own right, proving that even in the off-season, football's past is rich with compelling tales. Join us as we uncover the sometimes subtle, sometimes significant ways this specific date has left its mark on American football history.

The athletic Stagg was quite the coveted pitcher in college, even attracting attention from multiple professional organizations of the era. The Yale squad won the game 8-0 behind the arm of Football's Grand Old Man!