Bill Karr

American football player (1911–1979)
American football player
Bill Karr
No. 22
Position:End
Personal information
Born:(1911-03-29)March 29, 1911
Ripley, West Virginia, U.S.
Died:October 29, 1979(1979-10-29) (aged 68)
Clendenin, West Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:Ripley (WV)
College:West Virginia
Career history
  • Chicago Bears (1933–1938)
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:48
Receiving yards:1,032
Yards per Reception:21.5
Receiving Touchdowns:18
Player stats at PFR

William Morrison Karr Jr. (November 29, 1911 – October 29, 1979) was an American football end who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears from 1933 to 1938. He twice led the NFL in receiving touchdowns and was selected to the 1935 All-Pro Team.

Early years

Karr was born in 1911 in Ripley, West Virginia.[1] He attended West Virginia University from 1929 to 1933, competing in boxing, baseball, football, track, and basketball.[2] He played at the end position for Greasy Neale's 1931 and 1932 West Virginia football teams.

Professional football

Karr joined the Chicago Bears in 1933. As a rookie, he appeared in all 13 games, playing at the end position. He led the NFL in 1933 with three touchdown receptions and helped lead the Bears to their first NFL championship.[1] In the 1933 NFL Championship Game, Karr scored two touchdowns, one on a pass from Bronko Nagurski and then taking a lateral for 31 yards and the winning touchdown with three minutes remaining.[3]

Karr again led the NFL in receiving touchdowns with six in 1935.[1] He was selected as a first-team player on the 1935 All-Pro Team and as a second-team player on the 1934 and 1937 teams.[1]

Playing in six NFL seasons, Karr appeared in 63 games and totaled 48 receptions, 1,032 receiving yards, 18 receiving touchdowns, and 120 points scored.[1] In 1941, George Halas selected Karr as the right end on his All-Time Bears team.[4]

Later years

In 1939, Karr joined the West Virginia State Police.[5]

Karr died in 1978 at Clendenin, West Virginia.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Bill Karr". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 17, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Mountaineers in Moleskins". Uniontown, Pa., News-Standard. October 5, 1932. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Bears Whip Giants, 23-21; World Champions; Score With 3 Minutes To Go Decides Battle". Chicago Tribune. December 18, 1933. pp. 23, 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "The Story of the Big, Bad Bears: Coach Halas Names the 11 Best Players Who Have Worn Bear Uniforms". Chicago Tribune. October 28, 1941. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Arch Ward (January 11, 1939). "In the Wake of the News". Chicago Tribune. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
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