Joe Fortunato (American football)
Joseph Francis Fortunato was an American football linebacker in the National Football League. Prior to the NFL, Fortunato played fullback and linebacker for Mississippi State University, and made All-American in 1951.
Fortunato played 12 seasons for the Chicago Bears, where he served as team captain. He made the Pro Bowl five times, and was named to the NFL 300 Greatest Players team. At the time of his retirement, he held the NFL record for fumble recoveries with 22, which stood until Bears teammate Dick Butkus passed him.
His career ended in 1967 due to a knee injury, from which he transitioned into coaching with the Bears. After spending 1967 as the team's linebackers coach, he was the defensive coordinator in 1968.
After retiring, Fortunato made his home in south Mississippi, where he was a recreational bluegill fisherman.
He is a member of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. In 2017, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Fortunato to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2017 Fortunato is one of only four players, and the only defensive player named to the National Football League 1950s All-Decade Team who isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Fortunato died on November 6, 2017.
