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Another Great Monster of the Midway..........
In the tradition of the many great Bears players George Musso was a two way star. That $10 "signing bonus" for transportation, expenses, and incidentals kills me. I wonder what it costs today to fly a first round choice in following the draft just to introduce him to the media? $10 bucks would just cover the cost of a couple of cocktails on board the plane.
ChicagoBears.com > Tradition > 16 - George Musso
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George Musso stood 6-2 and weighed 262 pounds, which made him one of the largest men playing pro football during the 1930s and 1940s. The big man from little Millikin College starred in football, basketball, baseball, and track.
With his pro team, the Chicago Bears, he specialized as a middle guard on defense and excelled in all of his offensive assignments, particularly as a pass blocker and as a pulling guard on running plays. On offense George began his career with the Bears as a tackle, but after four seasons, made the switch to guard when his team’s personnel needs so dictated.
Musso played 12 seasons during a period when Chicago was the scourge of pro football. Teammates and opponents alike respected him as a dependable 60-minute performer. His outstanding play often forced teams to alter their game plan, something that was unheard of at the time.
His inspirational play contributed to the Bears’ fearsome reputation. A team leader, George was the Bears' captain for nine years. He became the first player to win All-NFL honors at two positions, tackle in 1935 and guard in 1937. Musso also had the rare distinction of playing against two future Presidents of the United States.
As a collegian, George once lined up against Ronald Reagan, a guard at Eureka College. Several years later, when the Bears played the College All-Stars his opponent was All-Star Michigan center, Gerald Ford. Prior to joining the Bears in 1933, coach/owner George Halas offered him a tryout and $90 a game if he made the team. To seal the deal, Halas sent the future star $5 for expenses, $3 for the train ride to Chicago and $2 for incidentals. Musso made the team, and, eventually, Halas came through with the weekly $90 salary he first promised the big rookie.
(Bio from Pro Football Hall of Fame)
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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The Bears sure had some big guys in those days didn't they. Once again a 262 lb DT would have been a big guy even in the 70's and early 80's. In the 30's and 40's somebody that big must have been scary, LOL. It looks like they came by that "Monsters of the Midway" tag honestly, LOL.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Two-way players amaze me, especially when it comes to playing football. Imagine the stamina the guy must have had. Maybe that's why he lived to be 90. Stud .
What should you call any : Fumble , Hold , Interception , Three and out , or Sack ?
A " F.H.I.T.S " ? or a J'Marcus ?
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Originally Posted by
Blue Horse-shoe 
Two-way players amaze me, especially when it comes to playing football. Imagine the stamina the guy must have had. Maybe that's why he lived to be 90. Stud .
Most of the better NFL players were two way players all the way up until the 60's. Once the TV $$$ came along and teams could afford to expand their rosters it slowly went away. J.C. Caroline was one of the last Bears I remember as a two way players at both offensive and defensive back. Maybe someone else can remember a few more from the late 50's or early 60's.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Holy shit! That guy was a monster for that time! I'm roughly 6'3" and 280 lbs, so he's not that much smaller than what I weigh now.
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 Holy shit! That guy was a monster for that time! I'm roughly 6'3" and 280 lbs, so he's not that much smaller than what I weigh now.
LOL, in the current scheme of things Dags you'd just be an undersized DT, hahaha. The Bears had some big boys playing for them in those days. Big and tough. We need a little more beef like that on our Oline today too.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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He went on to become the sheriff of Madison county Il. from the 50's till the 70's. Helluva great life ; great man. Glad u brought this up cuz b4 he was just a name I'd heard.
What should you call any : Fumble , Hold , Interception , Three and out , or Sack ?
A " F.H.I.T.S " ? or a J'Marcus ?
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Originally Posted by
Blue Horse-shoe He went on to become the sheriff of Madison county Il. from the 50's till the 70's. Helluva great life ; great man. Glad u brought this up cuz b4 he was just a name I'd heard.
The history and the heritage of the Bears franchise is something we can all share in and treasure my brother. It's fun to go back through the team history and learn about it. Halas' autobiography is a great source of information about those early years. If you haven't already read it you should pick it up.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Now, if only the Bears had the most championships...we have the most wins and highest winning percentage of any NFL team.
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 Now, if only the Bears had the most championships...we have the most wins and highest winning percentage of any NFL team.
If McMahon would have stayed healthy and Mikey hadn't screwed it up so badly we should have won another two Super Bowls in the 80's. Still would leave us one behind GB but it narrows the gap. It's still hard to reconcile my anger over that today. My only satisfaction comes from the fact that I wished Charles Martin an early death and my wish came true. Ain't karma great?
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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