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George Connor

Tackle

Inducted 1963

Date of Birth

1/21/1925

Birthplace

Chicago, IL

Schools

University of Notre Dame (1946-1947)

College of the Holy Cross (1942-1943)

Bio

George Connor began his football career at Holy Cross College in 1942 and 1943, then transferred to Notre Dame following World War II. Frank Leahy was returning for a second term as Irish coach, and Connor was to be the best linemen of the era. He opened gaping holes for such outstanding runners as Emil Sitko and Terry Brennan. During Connor's two seasons in an Irish uniform, he never played in a losing game. The 1946 team finished 8-0-1, perfection marred only by a scoreless tie with Army. Then, in 1947, it was nine games of unbeaten football. Leahy, looking back to those days, would state: "In the line, we never coached a player superior defensively to tackle George Connor." In 1962 a panel of 400 sports writers and broadcasters selected an all-time Notre Dame eleven. Connor and end Leon Hart each drew 340 votes to share the lead in the balloting. In 1946, Connor was the first winner of the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman. He was Notre Dame captain in 1947. Connor played eight years with the Chicago Bears and was an all-pro.