Leo Nomellini

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Nomellini was the first ever NFL draft selection of the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him in the 1st round as the 11th overall pick of the 1950 NFL draft. He played college football for the Minnesota Gophers, where he became a two-time All-American. After the war, he received a football scholarship to the University of Minnesota. Nomellini was also an All-American for the Minnesota Golden Gophers track and field team, finishing 7th in the hammer throw at the 1948 NCAA track and field championships. While at Minnesota, Nomellini was a member of Delta Chi fraternity. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977. Nomellini died on October 17, 2000, after suffering a stroke.

In Their Own Story

Leo Joseph Nomellini was born at Lucca, Tuscany, Italy, on June 19, 1924, and immigrated to the United States as an infant to Minnesota, before later moving to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Crane High School. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps. It was there that in 1942, he first started playing football. During the off-season Nomellini often wrestled professionally as Leo "The Lion" Nomellini debuting in Minnesota in 1950. For his career, he was a 10-time tag team champion. He won his first tag team championship in NWA San Francisco on March 14, 1952, when he teamed with Hombre Montana. The duo defeated Ben and Mike Sharpe for the NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version). Nomellini once defeated Lou Thesz in a two-out-of-three falls match, but was not awarded the NWA World Heavyweight Championship because the first fall was a disqualification. He retired from wrestling in 1965 in Hawaii.

Reader's Guide

Leo Nomellini played 14 seasons as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL), all of them with the 49ers, playing his first three years as an offensive tackle as well. He appeared in 174 regular-season games and started 166 for his 14-year career. While with the 49ers, he played both offensive and defensive tackle, winning All-Pro honors at both positions. He was selected to the All-NFL team six times: two years on offense and four years on defense. He was selected as the defensive tackle on the NFL 50th Anniversary All Time Team. Nomellini was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977. He was named to the NFL's all-time team as a defensive tackle.

Did You Know?

• Nomellini was the first ever NFL draft selection of the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him in the 1st round as the 11th overall pick of the 1950 NFL draft.
• He was also an All-American for the Minnesota Golden Gophers track and field team, finishing 7th in the hammer throw at the 1948 NCAA track and field championships.
• During the off-season, Nomellini often wrestled professionally as Leo 'The Lion' Nomellini and was a 10-time tag team champion.
• Nomellini once defeated Lou Thesz in a two-out-of-three falls match, but was not awarded the NWA World Heavyweight Championship because the first fall was a disqualification.
• He retired from wrestling in 1965 in Hawaii.