Leo Nomellini

Leo Joseph Nomellini (June 19, 1924 – October 17, 2000) was an Italian-American professional football player and professional wrestler who spent 14 seasons as a defensive tackle in the National Football League. Born in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy, he immigrated to the United States as an infant, settling in Minnesota before moving to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Crane High School. After high school he joined the Marine Corps, and it was there, in 1942, that he first started playing football.

Following the war, Nomellini received a football scholarship to the University of Minnesota, where he played for the Golden Gophers and became a two-time All-American. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 1950 NFL draft, the franchise's first NFL draft choice. He played all 14 of his NFL seasons with the 49ers, lining up as a defensive tackle and serving as an offensive tackle as well during his first three years.

Alongside his football career, Nomellini competed as a professional wrestler, winning seven tag team championships across two different versions of the title. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977.