Connor, George Leo

▪ 2004

      American football player (b. Jan. 21, 1925, Chicago, Ill.—d. March 31, 2003, Evanston, Ill.), played outstandingly at offensive and defensive tackle as well as linebacker positions, mostly with the National Football League's Chicago Bears. Already regarded as an outstanding football player in high school, Connor was an all-American for College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass., for two years. After a stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he was an all-American (1946–47) at the University of Notre Dame; Notre Dame's football team was undefeated in those two years. In 1946 Connor was the first recipient of the Outland Trophy for the top interior lineman in college football. Connor briefly played professionally for the New York Giants and the Boston Yanks before embarking on a long career (1948–55) with the Chicago Bears. A two-way player throughout his career, he was an offensive and defensive tackle until 1949, when he switched to linebacker. After his retirement from football because of an injured knee, Connor worked as an assistant coach and as a broadcaster before becoming a business executive. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

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