George Connor (American football)

George Lee Connor ( born January 21, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, † 31 March 2003 ) was an American football player and coach in the National Football League ( NFL). He played for the Chicago Bears.

Playing career

College career

George Connor visited Chicago in high school and then studied in the years 1942 and 1943 at the College of the Holy Cross, where he also played American football. 1944 and 1945 he had to do his military service in the U.S. Navy. In the combat Connor had not, but he had the opportunity to perform his duties in a training camp, which was set up on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. 1946 and 1947, he then continued his studies at the college and continued playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as tackle, both in the defense, and on offense. Because of his athletic achievements, he was elected to the All American in both years. In 1946 he received the Outland Trophy.

Professional career

Connor was drafted in 1948 by the New York Giants in the first round in fifth place. With this obligation he did not agree and announced to want to do is play in Chicago. The Giants gave him off in exchange for another player to team, coached by George Halas Chicago Bears. End of the 40s of the 20th century the dominant team in the NFL were the Philadelphia Eagles.

Halas gave Connor a three-year contract with an annual income of 13,000 U.S. dollars. This content was exceptionally high for a tackle, but was due to the fact that Halas and his assistant coach Hunk Anderson were interested in the obligation of first-class defender to break the hegemony of the Eagles offense can. Connor was used for the Bears as a linebacker and as a defensive tackle and had well-known players like Ken Kavanaugh and George McAfee at his side. But he got use time as offensive tackle and was responsible for protecting quarterback Sid Luckman.

1950 Connor was able to move with the Bears, the first and only time in the play offs. But was defeated in the NFL championship game the Los Angeles Rams 24:14.

Connor was known as a very tough player, who was never unfair carried out his work. In 1954, he suffered a knee injury that meant that he could only perform eight games this season. He succeeded again in his team back, but ended after the 1955 season his career.

After playing career

George Connor was after his playing career assistant coach for the Chicago Bears. He then worked as a commentator for the games of the Bears and the Fighting Irish in broadcasting. Connor then worked as a representative of a cardboard producer before he started his own company. George Connor is on the All Saints Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum in Des Plaines, Illinois, buried. Connor is survived by his wife and two sons.

Honors

George Connor played four times in the Pro Bowl, the final game of the best players of the season. He was seven times elected to the All- Pro. Connor is a member of the NFL 1940s All- Decade Team in the College Football Hall of Fame, in the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Interception All-Star Coach (sport) NFC Championship Game Cartonnage National Football League 1940s All-Decade Team Sammy Baugh Bob Waterfield Bill Dudley Marion Motley Bill Osmanski Baby Ray Bill Edwards (American football player) Buster Ramsey Bill Willis Len Younce Bulldog Turner George Blanda Dick Butkus Guy Chamberlin Ed Healey Bill Hewitt (American football) Bobby Layne Walter Payton Mike Singletary Joe Stydahar
367281
de