Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. For fifteen seasons (1952 to 1966), he played at the guard and middle-linebacker positions in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams. Born William J. George, he attended Waynesburg High School in Pennsylvania and played collegiate football at Wake Forest. While with the Demon Deacons, he had the distinction of becoming the first player in the school's history to earn All-American status. Selected by the Bears during the 2nd-round of the 1952 NFL Draft, he appeared in 173 regular season games. He earned both Pro-Bowl (1954 to 1961) and First-Team All-Pro (1955 to 1961 and 1963) honors eight-times. He is widely regarded as the first player at the position of middle-linebacker and altered the game forever during a contest against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1954, when he dropped back in coverage and recorded an interception. This movement added an additional strategy in defensive play-calling throughout the league from that point on. His reputation as for reading offenses and quick decision making became legendary within the league, as well as his blocking and tackling abilities. After the 1961 season, George suffered severe neck injuries in an automobile accident, however he went onto play most of the 1962 season and experienced a world championship with the Bears in 1963. After his retirement as a player, he returned to the Bears to serve on their coaching staff. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. He died in an automobile accident in 1982.
Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. For fifteen seasons (1952 to 1966), he played at the guard and middle-linebacker positions in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams. Born William J. George, he attended Waynesburg High School in Pennsylvania and played collegiate football at Wake Forest. While with the Demon Deacons, he had the distinction of becoming the first player in the school's history to earn All-American status. Selected by the Bears during the 2nd-round of the 1952 NFL Draft, he appeared in 173 regular season games. He earned both Pro-Bowl (1954 to 1961) and First-Team All-Pro (1955 to 1961 and 1963) honors eight-times. He is widely regarded as the first player at the position of middle-linebacker and altered the game forever during a contest against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1954, when he dropped back in coverage and recorded an interception. This movement added an additional strategy in defensive play-calling throughout the league from that point on. His reputation as for reading offenses and quick decision making became legendary within the league, as well as his blocking and tackling abilities. After the 1961 season, George suffered severe neck injuries in an automobile accident, however he went onto play most of the 1962 season and experienced a world championship with the Bears in 1963. After his retirement as a player, he returned to the Bears to serve on their coaching staff. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. He died in an automobile accident in 1982.
Bio by: C.S.
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