Bill Hewitt

High school

Bay City Central High School

College

University of Michigan

Pro team(s)

Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Phil-Pitt Steagles

Hall of Fame

⭐ Pro Football Hall of Fame

Bill Hewitt was born in Bay City, Michigan, and played end at the University of Michigan before joining the Chicago Bears in 1932. One of the last players to refuse to wear a helmet — doing so until the NFL mandated them in 1939 — Hewitt was an electrifying two-way end who played with a reckless, instinctive style. He earned All-Pro honors five times and was named to the NFL's 1930s All-Decade Team. His 52-yard lateral pitch to Bill Karr in the final minutes of the 1933 NFL Championship Game remains one of the most celebrated plays of the pre-war era. Hewitt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.