George Connor

The Original Monster of the Midway

Before names like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, and Brian Urlacher became synonymous with Chicago Bears defensive greatness, George Connor was the original enforcer in the trenches. A four-time NFL All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler, and a key member of the Chicago Bears' dominant post-war era, Connor was one of the most versatile and physically imposing players in league history.

What made Connor unique was his ability to excel at multiple positions—he played both offensive and defensive tackle, then later transitioned to linebacker, becoming one of the first truly dominant players at the position. His blend of size, speed, and toughness revolutionized defensive football, making him one of the most feared players of his time.

Though his career was cut short by injuries, his impact on the game was profound. He helped define what it meant to be a Chicago Bear, playing with a relentless intensity that set the standard for the legendary defenders that followed him. His legacy was cemented when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

The Numbers Behind His Dominance

While defensive statistics weren’t widely recorded during Connor’s era, his accomplishments and accolades speak for themselves:

• 8 NFL seasons (1948-1955), all with the Chicago Bears
• 4× First-Team All-Pro (1950-1953)
• 3× Pro Bowl selection (1952-1954)
• NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
• NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams
• Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1975)
• Chicago Bears retired his jersey (#81)

Connor’s influence on the game was far greater than his stats—he was a game-changer who helped define the linebacker position, paving the way for future stars.

From Notre Dame Star to NFL Phenom

Before becoming a Chicago Bears legend, George Connor dominated at Notre Dame, where he was a two-time All-American and one of the most dominant linemen in college football history.

• He won two national championships under head coach Frank Leahy in 1946 and 1947.
• He became the first-ever winner of the Outland Trophy (1946), awarded to the best interior lineman in college football.
• His dominance at Notre Dame earned him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Despite being drafted by the New York Giants in 1946, Connor chose to stay in school to finish his degree, delaying his NFL debut. When he finally entered the league in 1948, it didn’t take long for him to make an impact.

Revolutionizing the Game in Chicago

When George Halas brought Connor to the Chicago Bears in 1948, he envisioned a player who could dominate the line of scrimmage. Connor did exactly that, but his athleticism was too rare to be limited to the trenches.

• He started as an offensive and defensive tackle, excelling on both sides of the ball.
• His rare combination of size (6’3", 240 lbs) and speed allowed him to transition to linebacker—a move that helped redefine the position.
• He became one of the first great pass-rushing linebackers, setting the foundation for Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, and other game-changing edge rushers decades later.

Simply put, George Connor was ahead of his time. He was too strong for offensive linemen to handle, too fast for running backs to escape, and too smart for quarterbacks to outthink.

A Career Cut Short by Injuries, But a Legacy That Endured

Despite his dominance, Connor’s career was cut short in 1955 due to a series of knee injuries. If not for his health issues, he likely would have played several more years and stacked even more accolades.

Even with a shortened career, his impact on the game was undeniable. His versatility, toughness, and intelligence helped shape the future of defensive football, and his presence on the NFL’s 75th and 100th Anniversary Teams shows how highly he is still regarded.

The Most Iconic George Connor Football Cards

For collectors, George Connor’s football cards are among the most cherished from the post-war era:

• 1950 Bowman #36 George Connor – A true classic from one of the NFL’s earliest mainstream sets.
• 1952 Bowman Large #88 George Connor – A stunning oversized issue that remains highly collectible.
• 1955 Bowman #11 George Connor – One of his final playing-era cards, a must-have for vintage Bears collectors.

The Hall of Fame and an Undeniable Impact on the Game

Connor was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975, securing his place among the game's immortals. Despite playing only eight seasons, he left an impact so profound that the NFL recognized him as one of the greatest players of all time.

His versatility and game-changing style helped redefine linebacker play, influencing generations of defenders. From Dick Butkus to Mike Singletary to Brian Urlacher, the Bears’ legendary defensive tradition traces directly back to Connor’s dominance, toughness, and leadership.

George Connor – The Prototype for NFL Greatness

Before linebackers were superstars, before edge rushers became defensive focal points, and before two-way players became rare, George Connor was dominating the NFL in ways few had ever seen before.

He was the original Chicago Bears enforcer, the bridge between football’s early days and the modern era, and one of the most important defensive players in league history.

Tough. Versatile. Legendary. The Original Monster of the Midway.

George Connor’s name will forever stand among the greatest to ever play the game.