he pioneered the position of middle linebacker. After beginning his career as a middle guard on defense, George moved to middle linebacker in 1955, becoming in the process the first player to man that position on a full-time basis. Using his strength, quickness, aggressiveness, and intelligence to excel at his new post, George anchored Chicago’s defense for the next 10 years, with his outstanding play earning him Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors eight times each. A key contributor to the Bears’ 1963 NFL championship team, George also earned a spot on the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, a number 49 ranking on the Sporting News’ 1999 list of the 100 Greatest Players in NFL History, and a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Born some 50 miles south of Pittsburgh, in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 1929, William J. George attended Waynesburg High School, where he excelled in football and wrestling. Spurning the numerous wrestling scholarship offers he received from other colleges, George instead elected to play football at Wake Forest University. Proving that he made the right decision, George went on to gain All-America recognition as a defensive tackle, becoming the first player in the school’s history to be so honored.
Subsequently selected by the Bears in the second round of the 1951 NFL Draft, with the 23rd overall pick, George spent the 1951 campaign serving in the military, before beginning his career in pro football one year later. Earning a starting job immediately upon his arrival in Chicago, George spent his first three seasons playing middle guard in the Bears’ traditional five-man defensive front, with his exceptional play at that post gaining him Pro Bowl recognition for the first of eight straight times in 1954.
As a middle guard, George’s primary responsibility on passing downs was to bump the offensive center from a three-point stance and then drop back into coverage. However, George took the first step toward altering his role during a 1954 meeting with the Eagles. Growing increasingly frustrated as Philadelphia’s quarterback continued to complete several short passes just over his head, George told Bears defensive captain and left-side linebacker George Connor, “Hell, I could break up those passes if I didn’t have to hit that offensive center first.” With Connor responding, “What are you hitting him for, then? Why don’t you go for the ball?”, George began dropping into pass coverage immediately. After failing to catch the first pass thrown directly at him, George recorded the first interception of his career moments later. By successfully employing his new tactic throughout the remainder of the contest as well, George ended up providing the impetus for the creation of the 4-3 defense.
Bill George helped pioneer the position of middle linebacker.
Courtesy of MEARSonlineauctions.com
Although other teams began employing a similar defensive alignment shortly thereafter, George remained the standard-bearer at the middle linebacker position for years to come, earning First-Team All-Pro honors in each of the next seven seasons. Blessed with good size and strength, outstanding mobility, and the ability to read opposing offenses and make quick decisions, the 6'2", 237-pound George emerged as one of the league’s premier players, with only Detroit’s Joe Schmidt and New York’s Sam Huff rivaling him as middle linebackers during that era. In discussing the many outstanding qualities that George possessed, Bears defensive coordinator Clark Shaughnessy said, “He is a rare physical specimen, both from the standpoint of power and agility. He’s absolutely fearless on the field. He has a brilliant mind, an ability to size up a situation quickly and react to it, and, also, the ability to retain the complicated details of his job.”
An extremely intelligent player, George became Shaughnessy’s greatest pupil, developing such a complete understanding of defensive strategy that he eventually assumed responsibility for calling all the signals on that side of the ball. George also possessed a nasty on-field disposition, with Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated calling him “the meanest Bear ever” many years later.
After performing at an extremely high level for nearly a decade, George suffered severe neck injuries in an automobile accident following the conclusion of the 1961 campaign. Yet, even though he entered the 1962 season at somewhat less than 100 percent, George played well enough to lead the Bears to a record of 9-5 that represented their best mark in six years. Returning to top form the following year, George earned All-Pro honors for the eighth and final time in his career, with his exceptional play helping the Bears capture the NFL championship.
George, who missed just one game his first 12 years in the league, subsequently sustained severe knee damage during a 24–10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on November 1, 1964, forcing him to sit out the season’s final six contests. With Dick Butkus arriving in Chicago the following year, George assumed a backup role, appearing in only two games in 1965, before being released by the Bears at season’s end. In his 14 years in the Windy City, George recorded 18 interceptions, amassed 144 interception-return yards, recovered 17 fumbles, and scored 26 points as a part-time kicker, successfully converting four of eight field goal attempts and 14 of 15 extra-point attempts.
After being released by the Bears, George signed with the Los Angeles Rams, for whom he started in 1966, before announcing his retirement at season’s end. Returning to Chicago following his retirement, George spent three years serving as a member of Abe Gibron’s coaching staff, before leaving the game for good when Gibron received his walking papers following the conclusion of the 1974 campaign. Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame that same year, George received the following words of praise from Gibron at his induction ceremony: “Bill George was the first great middle linebacker. He brought all the romance and charisma to the position. He was like having Clark Shaughnessy on the field. He called all the plays and had a special knack for it.”
Unfortunately, George passed away just eight years later, dying tragically in a three-car automobile accident at only 52 years of age, on September 30, 1982. Upon learning of his passing, former Bears teammate Johnny Morris called him “the first classic middle linebacker” and said, “He was one of the most intense football players I ever saw. He was the backbone of the Bears defense for so many years. It’s a real tragedy.”
BEARS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Best Season
George earned First-Team All-Pro honors seven straight times from 1955 to 1961, with his career-high three interceptions and unofficial total of 11½ sacks in the last of those campaigns making that his finest all-around season.
Memorable Moments/Greatest Performances
Manning the middle guard position, George anchored a Bears defense that allowed just 54 yards rushing and 139 yards of total offense during a 28–9 win over the Baltimore Colts on October 10, 1954.
In addition to performing well on the defensive side of the ball, George successfully converted field goal attempts of 15, 14, and 34 yards during a 29–7 victory over the Chicago Cardinals on December 5, 1954.
George led a Bears defense that created four turnovers and surrendered just 145 yards of total offense during a 24–10 win over the Packers on November 9, 1958.
Although the Bears lost to the Detroit Lions by a score of 16–15 on December 3, 1961, George intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles, setting in the process a single-game franchise record for most takeaways.
George followed that up with another exceptional performance, helping to limit Jim Brown to only 62 yards rushing on 18 carries during a 17–14 win over the Browns on December 10, 1961.
George anchored a Bears defense that surrendered just 88 yards of total offense to the Rams during a 6–0 Chicago win on November 10, 1963.
George
