Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1972
- Class:
- 1952
Joe Fortunato is one of the great football players in Mississippi State history, starting for the Maroons from 1950-52.
He was named First Team All-SEC and First Team All-American his junior year in 1951. He was given Second Team All-SEC and Honorable Mention All-American honors in 1952, rushing for 779 yards and five touchdowns while accumulating four interceptions over his career.
Fortunato was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1952 NFL Draft. He went on to be selected to Pro Bowls and was named First Team All-Pro three-consecutive seasons.
He was part of the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and is among the 100 greatest Bears of all-time.
He is a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. He was added to the Davis Wade Stadium Ring of Honor in 2017.
