Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (November 3, 1908 – January 7, 1990) was a Canadian American football player of Polish-Ukrainian descent. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.
Nagurski was born in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, and his family moved to International Falls, Minnesota when he was still a boy. His parents, "Mike" and "Emelia" Nagurski, were immigrants, ethnic Ukrainians f...
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Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (November 3, 1908 – January 7, 1990) was a Canadian American football player of Polish-Ukrainian descent. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.
Nagurski was born in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, and his family moved to International Falls, Minnesota when he was still a boy. His parents, "Mike" and "Emelia" Nagurski, were immigrants, ethnic Ukrainians from Western Ukraine (Halychyna/Galicia). Nagurski became a standout at the University of Minnesota, where he played fullback on offense and tackle on defense and was named an All-American.
According to legend, Nagurski was discovered and signed by University of Minnesota Head Coach Clarence "Fats" Spears who had gotten lost and asked for directions to the nearest town. Nagurski (who had been plowing a field without a horse) lifted his plow and used it to point in the direction of town. He was signed on the spot for a full ride football...
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