Joe_Kopcha Knowpia

Games played:	72
Games started:	56
Receiving yards:	24

Joe Kopcha
No. 22, 29, 18
Position:	Guard
Personal information
Born:	December 23, 1905; Whiting, Indiana, U.S.
Died:	July 29, 1986 (aged 80); Hobart, Indiana, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:	Whiting (IN)
College:	Chattanooga
Career history
	Chicago Bears (1929–1935); Detroit Lions (1936);
Career highlights and awards
	2× NFL champion (1932, 1933); 3× First-team All-Pro (1933–1935); Second-team All-Pro (1932); 100 greatest Bears of All-Time;
Career NFL statistics
Games played:
Games played:	72
Games started:	56
Receiving yards:	24
	Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Joseph Edwards Kopcha (December 23, 1905 – July 29, 1986) was an American professional football player who was a guard for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Chicago Bears.

Kopcha attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he studied to become an obstetrician,^[1] and played professional football in order to fund his university studies.^[2] Kopcha played for the Detroit Lions when he obtained an internship at Harper Hospital, after previously studying at the Rush Medical College when playing for the Bears.^[3] Kopcha used his knowledge to redesign the shoulder pads worn by players, with his basic designs still in use today.^[4]

Personal life edit

Kopcha was of Polish descent.^[5]

References edit

^ Layden, Elmer (November 1936). "College Athletics Over-Emphasised? No!". The Rotarian. 49 (5): 60.
^ Carroll, John M (2004). Red Grange and the Rise of Modern Football. United States: University of Illinois Press. p. 175. ISBN 0-252-07166-2.
^ Heise, Kenan. "Dr. Joseph Kopcha, 80, Guard For Bears In '30s". www.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
^ Braunwart, Bob. "DR. JOE: A GUARD'S GUARD" (PDF). www.profootballresearchers.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
^ Ronkowski, Steve (March 5, 2012). "Pulaski Day Special: All-Time, All-Polish Bears Team". Windy City Gridiron.

External links edit

Joe Kopcha at Find a Grave

[1] Layden, Elmer (November 1936). "College Athletics Over-Emphasised? No!". The Rotarian. 49 (5): 60.

[2] Carroll, John M (2004). Red Grange and the Rise of Modern Football. United States: University of Illinois Press. p. 175. ISBN 0-252-07166-2.

[3] Heise, Kenan. "Dr. Joseph Kopcha, 80, Guard For Bears In '30s". www.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 18 February 2013.

[4] Braunwart, Bob. "DR. JOE: A GUARD'S GUARD" (PDF). www.profootballresearchers.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2013.

[5] Ronkowski, Steve (March 5, 2012). "Pulaski Day Special: All-Time, All-Polish Bears Team". Windy City Gridiron.

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Summary

Personal life edit

References edit

External links edit