Chicago Bears great Joe Fortunato dies at 87

Posted November 09, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) - Joe Fortunato, the speedy linebacker who helped the Chicago Bears win the 1963 NFL title, has died. He was 87.

Fortunato died Monday in Mississippi, where he starred at linebacker and fullback at Mississippi State.

"Joe Fortunato was not only a great player for the Chicago Bears, including being a part of our 1963 championship at Wrigley Field, he was a key figure in one of the greatest linebacker trios in Bears history alongside Hall of Famer Bill George and Larry Morris," Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey said in a statement Thursday. "The Chicago Bears family extends our condolences to the Fortunato family on the passing of Joe."

In 12 seasons with the Bears, Fortunato was a three-time All-Pro selection and a five-time Pro Bowl pick. He had 16 interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries and was selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1950s. From Mingo Junction, Ohio, Fortunato was inducted into the Mississippi State football Ring of Honor last month.

Fortunato was an assistant coach with the Bears in 1967 and 1968 before returning to Mississippi. He ran Big Joe Oil Company.

___

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

FILE - In this January 1966 file photo, George Allen, defensive coach of the Chicago Bears who was hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, is flanked by two Bear defensive stars, Joe Fortunato, left, and Doug Atkins, at a Los Angeles news conference announcing his new job in Los Angeles. Fortunate and Atkins, staying at the hotel where the conference took place, dropped in to voice approval of Allen's ability. Fortunato, the speedy linebacker who helped the Bears win the 1963 NFL title, has died. He was 87. Fortunato died Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, in Mississippi, where he starred at linebacker and fullback at Mississippi State. (AP Photo/File) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Football NFL NHL Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.