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Joseph Francis “Joe” Fortunato Jr.

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Joseph Francis “Joe” Fortunato Jr. Famous memorial

Birth
Mingo Junction, Jefferson County, Ohio, USA
Death
6 Nov 2017 (aged 87)
Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi, USA
Burial
Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi, USA GPS-Latitude: 31.5758972, Longitude: -91.3945528
Memorial ID
View Source
Professional Football Player. He played the linebacker position for the National Football League's Chicago Bears for twelve seasons (1955-1966). He played football collegiately at Mississippi State University where he played both the fullback and linebacker position. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 7th round of the 1952 NFL Draft. He served in the military after college and started his NFL career with the Bears in 1955. He would star for them at the linebacker position for the next twelve seasons until retiring after the 1966 season. During his playing career, he was a three-time first-team All-Pro selection (1963,1964,1965) and played in five NFL Pro Bowls (1958,1962.1963,1964,1965). He was a key member of the 1963 Chicago Bears team that defeated the New York Giants for the NFL Championship. He played in 155 games during his career, recording 16 interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries. He was a Bears team captain for most of his career. After retiring, he served as an assistant coach for the Bears during the 1967 and 1968 seasons. He was lated named to the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team and as one of the NFL's 300 greatest players. He was also honored by being named to both the Mississippi State M-Club Hall of Fame and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Player. He played the linebacker position for the National Football League's Chicago Bears for twelve seasons (1955-1966). He played football collegiately at Mississippi State University where he played both the fullback and linebacker position. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 7th round of the 1952 NFL Draft. He served in the military after college and started his NFL career with the Bears in 1955. He would star for them at the linebacker position for the next twelve seasons until retiring after the 1966 season. During his playing career, he was a three-time first-team All-Pro selection (1963,1964,1965) and played in five NFL Pro Bowls (1958,1962.1963,1964,1965). He was a key member of the 1963 Chicago Bears team that defeated the New York Giants for the NFL Championship. He played in 155 games during his career, recording 16 interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries. He was a Bears team captain for most of his career. After retiring, he served as an assistant coach for the Bears during the 1967 and 1968 seasons. He was lated named to the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team and as one of the NFL's 300 greatest players. He was also honored by being named to both the Mississippi State M-Club Hall of Fame and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Chardon
  • Added: Nov 7, 2017
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185035167/joseph_francis-fortunato: accessed ), memorial page for Joseph Francis “Joe” Fortunato Jr. (28 Mar 1930–6 Nov 2017), Find a Grave Memorial ID 185035167, citing Natchez City Cemetery, Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.