Joe Fortunato played in more NFL Pro Bowls than any player in MSU history (5).
MSU Legend Joe Fortunato To Be Inducted into Football Ring of Honor Saturday
October 11, 2017 | Football
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Joe Fortunato, 1951 first-team All-American and one of the greatest players in Chicago Bears history, will be inducted into the Mississippi State football "Ring of Honor" during a ceremony prior to the Bulldogs' game against BYU on Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium.
Fortunato will become the seventh MSU legend enshrined in the "Ring of Honor", joining Johnie Cooks, Jack Cristil, Kent Hull, D.D. Lewis, Tom "Shorty" McWilliams and Jackie Parker.
"We are honored to welcome Joe Fortunato to this prestigious group of Bulldogs," MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "Joe was one of our earliest All-Americans and played in more NFL Pro Bowls than any player in school history."
Fortunato, a native of Mingo Junction, Ohio, lettered as a fullback and linebacker at State from 1950-52. He became one of the first Bulldogs to rush for over 1,000 yards in a career, scoring six touchdowns and registering four interceptions.
As a junior in 1951, Fortunato was tabbed first-team All-American and first-team All-Southeastern Conference. The following season, he was selected honorable mention All-American and All-SEC after leading MSU with 779 rushing yards and cementing himself as one of the nation's top linebackers.
In 1952, the Chicago Bears selected Fortunato in the NFL Draft. After serving in the military, Fortunato established himself as one of the elite players in Bears history. From 1955-66, he played in 155 games, recording 16 interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries. A team captain, Fortunato started for 12 straight seasons and was a catalyst for the Bears' 1963 NFL championship.
Fortunato was a three-time first-team All-Pro selection (1963, '64, '65), and he played in five NFL Pro Bowls (1958, '62, '63, '64, 65). To this date, no player in MSU history has played in more Pro Bowls than Fortunato. The highlight of his career might have come in 1963. Just months after guiding the Bears to a 14-10 victory over the New York Giants in the 1963 NFL Championship Game at Wrigley Field, Fortunato would captain Vince Lombardi's last Pro Bowl team.
Following retirement, Fortunato remained with the Bears for two seasons as an assistant coach. He was selected to the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team, and in the early 2000s, was voted one of the NFL's 300 greatest players.
Fortunato, who resides in Natchez, was inducted into the Mississippi State M-Club Hall of Fame in 1990 and then selected to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. He is a 1990 inductee of the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2010, NFL.com selected Fortunato as the second-greatest MSU player in league history behind only Kent Hull.
Kickoff for the Bulldogs and Cougars is 11 a.m. CT live on SEC Network. Tickets are available at HailState.com/tickets, by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or in person at the MSU Athletic Ticket Office on the first floor of the Bryan Athletic Administration Building (288 Lakeview Drive), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fans in the upper levels are encouraged to wear maroon, while fans in the lower levels are asked to wear white.
Fortunato will become the seventh MSU legend enshrined in the "Ring of Honor", joining Johnie Cooks, Jack Cristil, Kent Hull, D.D. Lewis, Tom "Shorty" McWilliams and Jackie Parker.
"We are honored to welcome Joe Fortunato to this prestigious group of Bulldogs," MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "Joe was one of our earliest All-Americans and played in more NFL Pro Bowls than any player in school history."
Fortunato, a native of Mingo Junction, Ohio, lettered as a fullback and linebacker at State from 1950-52. He became one of the first Bulldogs to rush for over 1,000 yards in a career, scoring six touchdowns and registering four interceptions.
As a junior in 1951, Fortunato was tabbed first-team All-American and first-team All-Southeastern Conference. The following season, he was selected honorable mention All-American and All-SEC after leading MSU with 779 rushing yards and cementing himself as one of the nation's top linebackers.
In 1952, the Chicago Bears selected Fortunato in the NFL Draft. After serving in the military, Fortunato established himself as one of the elite players in Bears history. From 1955-66, he played in 155 games, recording 16 interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries. A team captain, Fortunato started for 12 straight seasons and was a catalyst for the Bears' 1963 NFL championship.
Fortunato was a three-time first-team All-Pro selection (1963, '64, '65), and he played in five NFL Pro Bowls (1958, '62, '63, '64, 65). To this date, no player in MSU history has played in more Pro Bowls than Fortunato. The highlight of his career might have come in 1963. Just months after guiding the Bears to a 14-10 victory over the New York Giants in the 1963 NFL Championship Game at Wrigley Field, Fortunato would captain Vince Lombardi's last Pro Bowl team.
Following retirement, Fortunato remained with the Bears for two seasons as an assistant coach. He was selected to the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team, and in the early 2000s, was voted one of the NFL's 300 greatest players.
Fortunato, who resides in Natchez, was inducted into the Mississippi State M-Club Hall of Fame in 1990 and then selected to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. He is a 1990 inductee of the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2010, NFL.com selected Fortunato as the second-greatest MSU player in league history behind only Kent Hull.
Kickoff for the Bulldogs and Cougars is 11 a.m. CT live on SEC Network. Tickets are available at HailState.com/tickets, by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or in person at the MSU Athletic Ticket Office on the first floor of the Bryan Athletic Administration Building (288 Lakeview Drive), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fans in the upper levels are encouraged to wear maroon, while fans in the lower levels are asked to wear white.
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