Bronko Nagurski Gopher,
I never had the pleasure of meeting Bernie Bierman, however, I did meet you namesake - Bronko Nagurski.
In the winter of 1956 - I had just started following the Gophers the previous fall - I went to a pro wrestling show at the Detroit Lakes Armory with my father. My father was asked to attend the show since a medical doctor had to be on hand for the evening event. After the show I joined my dad as he went to visit with Bronko Nagurski. They briefly talked about their school days at the University of Minnesota and his watching the Bronko on the playing field of Memorial Stadium. My dad, as mentioned in an earlier post, was an undergraduate when Bronko played at the U. My dad never missed a home game during his days at the U.
To say I was awe struck would be an understatement. I just stared at the hall-of-famer, thinking about all that my dad had said about the Gopher great playing football for the U. Near the end of their conversation my dad introduced me to the sports legend. When he shook my hand, his large hand enveloped my small hand. I swear his hand covered my forearm up to my elbow! Pretty heady stuff for a third grader at the time. It was a moment I'll never forget.
Again, I wish I could answer your question; however, this "old timer" wanted to share this special memory!
Go Gophers!!
