Joe Stydahar

The granite anchor who held up the line for the Monsters of the Midway.

Joseph Lee Stydahar, nicknamed "Jumbo Joe," remains a legendary figure in Chicago Bears history. Born in Kaylor, Pennsylvania, and raised in Shinnston, West Virginia, he moved from the coal mines to become a dominant force on the gridiron. Selected by the Bears in the first round of the 1936 NFL draft as the sixth overall pick, he became the franchise's first first-round draftee and the first lineman chosen in that position. Stydahar played nine seasons for Chicago from 1936 to 1942 and again from 1945 to 1946. His career was interrupted by two years of service as a lieutenant and gunnery officer in the United States Navy during World War II. A five-time first-team All-Pro, he anchored an offensive line that secured three NFL championships.

Quick Facts

Position: Tackle
Born: 17 March 1912
Birthplace: Kaylor, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: 23 March 1977
Place of death: Beckley, West Virginia, U.S.
High school: Shinnston (Shinnston, West Virginia)
College: West Virginia (1933–1935)
Draft year: 1936

Lore & Background

Stydahar's journey to the pros began at West Virginia University, where he played both football and basketball. Despite being six-foot-four and weighing 220 pounds with "one of the largest pairs of hands in the business," major All-America selectors largely ignored him during his college years; he only made a third-team selection in 1935. However, peers recognized his talent immediately. Pittsburgh coach Jock Sutherland called him the best tackle of the 1935 season, stating, "I doubt that there is a more formidable tackle in the country."

Heisman winner Jay Berwanger added that Stydahar was the "best tackle by far" among collegiate groups. Upon entering the NFL, he instantly validated these claims. In 1937, coaches voted him the standout player of the season, awarding him 43 out of a possible 50 points in All-Pro voting. He continued this dominance through 1940, earning first-team honors five consecutive years and helping the Bears win Western Division titles in 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, and 1946.

Reader's Guide

Stydahar transitioned from player to coach seamlessly, though his head coaching record was mixed. He served as an assistant for the Rams (1947–1949) before taking the helm in Los Angeles. His 1950 and 1951 teams both reached the NFL Championship Game, with the 1951 squad winning the title over Cleveland. However, his tenure ended abruptly in September 1952 after a public disagreement with backfield coach Hamp Pool; he resigned for a $11,900 buyout.

He briefly coached the Chicago Cardinals (1953–1954), where records slumped to 1-10-1 and 2-10, before returning to Chicago as an assistant. In 1963, George Halas hired him to overhaul the Bears' defensive line. His work contributed directly to the 1963 NFL championship team having the league's best scoring defense. He retired in 1964 to focus on his business interests, leaving behind a legacy that earned him induction into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1967) and College Football Hall of Fame (1972).

Did You Know?

He served as a lieutenant and gunnery officer aboard the USS Monterey light aircraft carrier during World War II.
Stydahar set a single-game scoring record of 24 points playing basketball against West Virginia Wesleyan in 1933.
After his coaching career ended, he worked as an eastern regional manager for a container company before dying of heart failure at age 65.