Golden Gopher Gridiron | University of Minnesota Football

Bronislaw Nagurski was a star at the University of Minnesota where he played four positions and was named All-America at both fullback and tackle. With the Bears, his defensive play was as awesome as his offensive ball carrying.

Joined Bears after legendary college career at Minnesota...Became pro football's symbol of power, ruggedness... A bulldozing runner on offense, a bone-crushing linebacker on defense... Gained 4031 yards in 9 seasons ...All-NFL, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937...His two TD passes clinched Bears' 1933 title win...Helped 1943 Bears to NFL crown after five-year retirement...Born November 3, 1908, in Rainy River, Ontario...Died January 7, 1990, at age of 81.

Leo Nomellini was an All-America tackle for two years at Minnesota and the number one draft choice of the 49ers in 1950. The choice of Nomellini proved to be a superb one. At 6-3 and 260, "The Lion” had everything needed to be an all-time pro great – size, speed, agility, aggressiveness, dedication to the game, superb conditioning and the willingness to go the full 60 minutes of any game.

Two-time Minnesota All-America...49ers' first-ever NFL draft choice, 1950...Played every 49ers game for 14 seasons, 174 regular-season and 266 pro games in all...Excellent defensive pass rusher, bulldozing offensive blocker...All-NFL six times, two years on offense, four years on defense...Named NFL's all-time defensive tackle...Played in 10 Pro Bowl games...Born June 19, 1924, in Lucca, Italy...Died October 17, 2000, at age of 76.

Bobby Bell was the most highly honored college lineman of the 1962 season. His coach at the University of Minnesota described the two-time All-America choice and Outland Trophy winner as “the greatest lineman I have ever seen.”

All-state prep quarterback, All-America tackle at Minnesota...Big early prize in AFL-NFL war...All-AFL/AFC nine times...All-time AFL choice, 1969... Extremely versatile, determined, rugged, fast, smart... Played in last six AFL All-Star games, first three AFC-NFC Pro Bowls...Scored nine career touchdowns, one on onside kickoff return, two on fumble returns... Had 26 interceptions for 479 yards, six TDs...Born June 17, 1940, in Shelby, North Carolina.

Bud Grant became a nine-letterman athlete at the University of Minnesota. He was a two time All-Big Ten end in football, a two-year baseball star and a three-year basketball regular.

NFL coaching tenure began in 1967...NFL record: 168-108-5...Led Vikings to 11 divisional championships in 1968 through 1971, 1973 through 1978, 1981...Won 1969 NFL championship, NFC titles in 1973, 1974, 1976...Nine-letter athlete at Minnesota...Played in NBA, NFL, CFL before embarking on coaching career in Winnipeg... Born May 20, 1927, in Superior, Wisconsin.

Carl Eller, in 1964 a consensus All-America with the University of Minnesota, was a first-round draft pick of both the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills of the then-rival American Football League. A 6-6, 247-pound defensive stalwart, Eller opted to stay in a familiar environment and signed with the Vikings.

Selected in 1st round of NFL draft by Minnesota and AFL draft by Buffalo, 1964...Quickly established himself at left defensive end on the Vikings' "Purple People Eaters" defensive line...Excellent at stopping run, devastating pass rusher...Amassed 44 sacks, 1975-1977...Named first- or second-team All-NFL each season, 1967-1973...Played in six Pro Bowls...Born January 25, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Charlie Sanders was a collegiate star in both football and basketball at the University of Minnesota. His athletic prowess drew the attention of the Detroit Lions who selected him in the third round of the 1968 draft.

Third round pick by Lions, 1968...Combined great leaping ability, big hands, strength, speed and elusiveness...Seven Pro Bowls...All-NFL three straight seasons...Recorded 30 or more receptions seven times, 500-plus receiving yards six seasons...Lions’ all-time reception leader (336) at time of retirement...Team’s leader or co-leader in receptions six of his 10 seasons...Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s...Born August 25, 1946 in Richlands, North Carolina.