Joe Kopcha

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.

Key Information

No. 22, 29, 18
Position	Guard
Personal information
Born	(1905-12-23)December 23, 1905 Whiting, Indiana, U.S.
Died	July 29, 1986(1986-07-29) (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)
Awards and highlights
2× NFL champion (1932, 1933) 3× First-team All-Pro (1933–1935) Second-team All-Pro (1932) 100 greatest Bears of All-Time
Career statistics
Games played 72 Games started 56 Receiving yards 24 Stats at Pro Football Reference
Games played	72
Games started	56
Receiving yards	24
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Show more

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]

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 February 18, 2013.
4. ^ Braunwart, Bob. "DR. JOE: A GUARD'S GUARD" (PDF). www.profootballresearchers.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
5. ^ Ronkowski, Steve (March 5, 2012). "Pulaski Day Special: All-Time, All-Polish Bears Team". Windy City Gridiron.

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