Joe Stydahar

Verified Timeline

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.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Stydahar's playing career occurred on December 8, 1940, at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Bears faced the Washington Redskins in the NFL Championship Game, a matchup that would end with a historic 73-0 scoreline. In the trenches, amidst the cold and mud, Stydahar operated as an immovable object. His ability to "bruise" opponents and block viciously allowed quarterback Sid Luckman and his backfield stars to execute their plays without fear. That season, he was recognized not just for blocking, but for being one of the toughest linemen in the league to take out. After missing 1943 and 1944 serving on the USS Monterey light aircraft carrier, he returned in 1945 to help the Bears reclaim the title. His final season with Chicago saw another championship ring in 1946, capping a tenure that included appearing in 84 NFL games and establishing himself as the league's premier tackle of his era.

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?

• Stydahar was the first player drafted by the Chicago Bears in the very first NFL draft and the first lineman selected in the first round.
• As a college senior, he blocked five punts in a single season, returning one for a touchdown.
• 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.