Stu Clarkson
Encyclopedia
Stu Clarkson was a linebacker
for the Chicago Bears
from 1942 to 1951. He was the last pick
in the 1942 NFL Draft.
Clarkson was a two-time Little All-American at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville), 1938 and 1939. He was posthumously named to the Texas A&M-Kingville Football Hall of Fame, 1972, and was named to the Texas A&M-Kingsville Football Team of Century in 2000.
As a member of the 1946 World Champion Chicago Bears, he received an equal players share of $1,975.82.
Following his tenure with the Chicago Bears, Clarkson was line coach and player for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
of the Canadian Football League
from 1952 to 1953.
From 1943 to 1945, Clarkson served with the United States Army in England, France and Germany. On June 6, 1944, Clarkson was part of the American forces landing at Utah Beach
, Normandy
, France
.
On October 26, 1957, while coaching during a game for the Sugar Land (Texas) High School football team, Clarkson suffered a heart attack and died on the side of the field. Sugar Land went on to beat Hitchcock High, 25-0. He was the father of American lawyer (and now United States Bankruptcy Judge) and documentary photographer Scott C. Clarkson.
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 1942 to 1951. He was the last pick
Mr. Irrelevant
"Mr. Irrelevant" is the title bestowed each year upon the last pick of the annual National Football League draft.- Irrelevant Week :The name arose in 1976, when former Southern California and NFL receiver Paul Salata founded "Irrelevant Week" in Newport Beach, California. He announced the final...
in the 1942 NFL Draft.
Clarkson was a two-time Little All-American at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville), 1938 and 1939. He was posthumously named to the Texas A&M-Kingville Football Hall of Fame, 1972, and was named to the Texas A&M-Kingsville Football Team of Century in 2000.
As a member of the 1946 World Champion Chicago Bears, he received an equal players share of $1,975.82.
Following his tenure with the Chicago Bears, Clarkson was line coach and player for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
from 1952 to 1953.
From 1943 to 1945, Clarkson served with the United States Army in England, France and Germany. On June 6, 1944, Clarkson was part of the American forces landing at Utah Beach
Utah Beach
Utah Beach was the code name for the right flank, or westernmost, of the Allied landing beaches during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, as part of Operation Overlord on 6 June 1944...
, Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
On October 26, 1957, while coaching during a game for the Sugar Land (Texas) High School football team, Clarkson suffered a heart attack and died on the side of the field. Sugar Land went on to beat Hitchcock High, 25-0. He was the father of American lawyer (and now United States Bankruptcy Judge) and documentary photographer Scott C. Clarkson.