Our Nebraska friend Jon Johnston on Minnesota legend Bronko Nagurski

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I went to the Bronco Nagurski museum in International Falls last summer.
 


I'm from the Falls and been to the museum many times. The guy's title rings are displayed there and they're huge. I remember my dad telling me about the gas station where he tightened the cap as well.

Our school Falls High named the teams after him with the Broncos. We have a trophy case in the main hallway near the cafeteria and there's a section dedicated to him with a portrait and some memorabilia. Nagurski actually coached the Broncos football team, too, and led them to our lone state title in that sport.

The only downside is our school song is based from On Wisconsin, though the lyrics are changed of course.
 

IceBoxGopher said:
I'm from the Falls and been to the museum many times. The guy's title rings are displayed there and they're huge. I remember my dad telling me about the gas station where he tightened the cap as well.

Our school Falls High named the teams after him with the Broncos. We have a trophy case in the main hallway near the cafeteria and there's a section dedicated to him with a portrait and some memorabilia. Nagurski actually coached the Broncos football team, too, and led them to our lone state title in that sport.

The only downside is our school song is based from On Wisconsin, though the lyrics are changed of course.
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No Minnesota HS should be allowed to do that. LOL
 

IceBoxGopher said:
I'm from the Falls and been to the museum many times. The guy's title rings are displayed there and they're huge. I remember my dad telling me about the gas station where he tightened the cap as well.

Our school Falls High named the teams after him with the Broncos. We have a trophy case in the main hallway near the cafeteria and there's a section dedicated to him with a portrait and some memorabilia. Nagurski actually coached the Broncos football team, too, and led them to our lone state title in that sport.

The only downside is our school song is based from On Wisconsin, though the lyrics are changed of course.
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Our kids' HS school song is set to the tune of the Minnesota rouser. It's awesome!
 

The only downside to the great Bronko story is that in 1955 his son, Bronko,Jr along with Jim Colosimo of Eveleth and Bob Wetoska from the TC's all enrolled at Notre Dame and not the U of MN.
 



proudgopher said:
The only downside to the great Bronko story is that in 1955 his son, Bronko,Jr along with Jim Colosimo of Eveleth and Bob Wetoska from the TC's all enrolled at Notre Dame and not the U of MN.
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Maybe the universe made up for this when Winfield Jr. went here rather than follow his dad to Ohio State.
 

Wally said:
I went to the Bronco Nagurski museum in International Falls last summer.
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I went there also. I had the place to myself and the "curator" seemed lonely and could not have been more helpful. I bought a book called "The Monster of the Midway". My favorite part of the book detailed the Varsity-Alumni Game of May 1958. Bronko showed up to play at age 49 and the Alumni won by a score of 26-2. On the opening drive, Nagurski carried 5 times and the ball was moved to the Varsity 20 yard-line. The Varsity tacklers were all eager to help him up and were awed by the chance to play against a legend. Player coach Billy Bye called for a pass play and instructed Bud Grant not to score. Just go down and leave the touchdown to Bronko. Grant duly went down at the 5, and Bronko barged in from there behind blocks by Leo Nomellini, Clayton Tonnemaker and another International Falls Product, Frank Youso. He then watched the rest of the game from the bench. He weighed 260 pounds then and they didn't have a helmet big enough for him. He managed to squeeze his head into the biggest one they had. How amazing it must have been to be at this game.
 


I like his channel. He just posted another video about the Slab of Bacon trophy. I didn't know much about it.
 

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