Luke Johnsos
 Johnsos (left) kneeling alongside co-head coach Hunk Anderson (right), circa 1942. | |||||||||
| No. 24 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | End | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | December 9, 1905 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died: | December 10, 1984 (aged 79) Evanston, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Carl Schurz (Chicago) | ||||||||
| College: | Northwestern | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| As a player: | |||||||||
| As a coach: | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
Player
Coach
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Head coaching record | |||||||||
| Regular season: | 23–11–2 (.667) | ||||||||
| Postseason: | 1–1 (.500) | ||||||||
| Career: | 24–12–2 (.658) | ||||||||
| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||
| Coaching stats at PFR | |||||||||
Luke Andrew Johnsos Sr. (December 9, 1905 – December 10, 1984) was an American professional
Playing career
Johnsos graduated from
In 1929, he was signed by the Bears when Northwestern teammate Walter Holmer insisted he be part of the conditions; while Holmer was paid $5,000 as a salary, Johnsos received only $100 upon joining the team, which he commented was because George Halas felt he "wasn't worth [a higher pay]."[2] Johnsos also signed a baseball contract with the Cincinnati Reds, but did not play due to eyesight problems.[3]
As a player for the Bears, he was named All-Pro twice. Nicknamed "Professor" and the "Bears' Brain Trust", Johnsos was praised by his peers for his knowledge of the game.[3] Teammate Red Grange also called him "one of the best ends in the league and a great pass receiver."[4]
Coaching career
In 1937, with his playing career now over, Johnsos became an assistant coach for the Bears.
Following the October 25, 1942 victory over the
The Bears won the 1963 NFL Championship Game over the New York Giants with the help of a play designed by Johnsos nicknamed the "Ditka Special"; on third down late in the game, tight end Mike Ditka caught a pass that placed the Bears on the Giants' one-yard line. Quarterback Bill Wade scored the game-winning touchdown on the next play.[3]
Johnsos retired after the 1969 season, ending 40 years at field level with the Bears.
Personal life
Johnsos was a former owner of the printing company Johnsos-Coppock Printing, which he later sold to Bagcraft Corp. of America but remained as an executive until late 1984. Two weeks after departing the company, he died on December 10 at the age of 79. He was survived by his wife Rosemary, four daughters, a son, and 15 grandchildren.[4]
Head coaching record
NFL
| Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| CHI | 1942 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1st in NFL Western | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Washington Redskins in NFL Championship Game .
|
| CHI | 1943 | 8 | 1 | 1 | .850 | 1st in NFL Western | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1943 NFL Champions |
| CHI | 1944 | 6 | 3 | 1 | .650 | 2nd in NFL Western | – | – | – | – |
| CHI | 1945 | 3 | 7 | 0 | .300 | 4th in NFL Western | – | – | – | – |
| CHI Total | 23 | 11 | 2 | .667 | 1 | 1 | .500 | – | ||
| Total | 23 | 11 | 2 | .667 | 1 | 1 | .500 | – | ||
References
- ^ "Luke Johnsos". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
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| National | |
