Former Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato has passed away at the age of 87 in Mississippi.
Fortunato played for the Bears for 12 years from 1955-1966, and he made the Pro Bowl five times during that span. He was First-team All-Pro in 1963, 1964 and 1965, and he helped lead the Bears to an NFL championship in 1963.
He was named to the 1950s NFL All-Decade Team. Fortunato intercepted 16 passes during his career, and he returned one of those for a touchdown. He also recovered 22 fumbles during his career.
Bears great Joe Fortunato dead at age 87. The seventh-round pick joined the Bears in 1955 after finishing his military service, and later coached under Papa Bear. https://t.co/2i04Gqgcs0 pic.twitter.com/CdUyppQlCL
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) November 9, 2017
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Fortunato attended Mississippi State, and he was drafted in the seventh round of the 1952 NFL Draft.
Before playing in the NFL, Fortunato served in the military. He also was an assistant coach for the Bears in 1967 and 1968, serving as the defensive coordinator in 1968.
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