Joe Kopcha

Joe Kopcha
No. 29
Position:	Offensive guard
Personal information
Born:	December 23, 1905; Whiting, Indiana
Died:	July 29, 1986 (aged 80); Hobart, Indiana
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:	Whiting (IN)
College:	Tennessee–Chattanooga
Career history
	Chicago Bears (1929–1935); Detroit Lions (1936);
Career highlights and awards
	2× NFL champion (1932-1933); 3× First-Team All-Pro (1933-1935); 1× 2nd-Team All-Pro (1932); Football Digest 1930's NFL All-Decade Team; 100 greatest Bears of All-Time;
Career NFL statistics
	Player stats at NFL.com
	Player stats at NFL.com
	Player stats at PFR

Joseph Edwards Kopcha (December 23, 1905 – July 29, 1986) is a former professional American football player.

Kopcha played eight years in the National Football League, mainly for the Chicago Bears. He was an offensive lineman. Kopcha attended the University of Chattanooga, where he studied to become an obstetrician,[1] and played professional football in order to fund his university studies.[2] Kopcha played for the Detroit Lions when he obtained an internship at Harper Hospital, after previously studying at the Rush Medical College when playing for the Bears.[3] Kopcha used his knowledge to redesign the shoulder pads worn by players, with his basic designs still in use today.[4]

References

Layden, Elmer (November 1936). "College Athletics Over-Emphasised? No!". The Rotarian. 49 (5): 60.
Carroll, John M (2004). Red Grange and the Rise of Modern Football. United States: University of Illinois Press. p. 175. ISBN 0-252-07166-2.
Heise, Kenan. "Dr. Joseph Kopcha, 80, Guard For Bears In `30s". www.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
Braunwart, Bob. "DR. JOE: A GUARD'S GUARD" (PDF). www.profootballresearchers.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2013.

External links

Joe Kopcha at Find a Grave

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[1] Layden, Elmer (November 1936). "College Athletics Over-Emphasised? No!". The Rotarian. 49 (5): 60.

[2] Carroll, John M (2004). Red Grange and the Rise of Modern Football. United States: University of Illinois Press. p. 175. ISBN 0-252-07166-2.

[3] Heise, Kenan. "Dr. Joseph Kopcha, 80, Guard For Bears In `30s". www.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 18 February 2013.

[4] Braunwart, Bob. "DR. JOE: A GUARD'S GUARD" (PDF). www.profootballresearchers.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2013.