Park Place of St. John resident and 1951 first-round draft pick for the Chicago Bears, Gene Schroeder, shares the disappointment of the wider Chicago area over the abrupt conclusion of a surprisingly successful season.
The top NFL teams faced off for the National Championship title prior to the existence of the Super Bowl. Even now, after the Bears’ 9-2-1 season in 1956, Gene still gets smart when he considers the 47-7 loss to the New York Giants in the NFL Championship game.
“Obviously, you would like to say that reaching that point felt good,” he replies. However, he shares the same understanding of the anguish that follows a devastating loss as the current Bears squad. “It goes without saying that my biggest disappointment was losing in the NFL Championship game.” To lose that game after going so far, well, I can only express how disappointed I am.
But a closer look into Gene’s life demonstrates the kind of achievement that films are created for. Gene was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and spent his childhood playing street ball. “Daybreak, midday, and evening,” he states. Football in the autumn and baseball in the summer. I have just ever wanted to play ball.
Football in the autumn and baseball in the summer. I have just ever wanted to play ball.
Gene was an all-city football and basketball player, a three-sport standout at Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C. He also had an undefeated track record in his junior and senior years. He was among the quickest runners in the world when he completed the 220-yard dash. He continued to excel athletically at the University of Virginia, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce while also excelling in football and track. He declared, “I didn’t take that gift for granted. Without an athletic scholarship, I never would have been able to attend college.”
He participated in the 1951 College All-Star football game, which drew 105,000 fans to Soldier Field. But the Olympics board noticed his exceptional speed. When he was visited in 1951 by U.S. Olympic Committee personnel, they suggested that he postpone his football career and try out for the 1952 Olympic track squad.
“I told them that I was going to play football, so I really apologised for you having to make this trip.”
Gene was selected 12th overall in the first round of the 1951 NFL Draft. Being selected in the first round of the draft meant that you were expected to perform. Many number ones either don’t, or it takes them several years. In the end, I was selected for both the offensive and defensive All-Rookie teams.
He went on a blind date with his wife Doris following that first season. Looking back on their first date night, he says, “I’m sure glad I said I would go.” Even though they both grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from the same high school two years apart, they had never met before being paired up by mutual acquaintances. “After four months of dating, we tied the knot,” he recalls. The union gave birth to three children and endured for sixty years, until Doris passed away.
Despite suffering from knee problems and missing a season while serving in the Navy during the Korean War, Gene was able to play football and make two trips to the Pro Bowl.
I always felt really good about the squad. In comparison to the rest of the league, my contracts were extremely high,” he claims. However, before big-name deals, sportsmen had “regular” occupations to do during the off-season. For Gene, that meant working in Chicago’s steel sector.
He continued in the metal sector after leaving football and succeeded in management. However, Gene made the bold decision to use his industry experience and contacts to launch a new business in Chicago Heights after the company he worked for was acquired by a new owner.
Having worked in the field for 17 years, I had connections across the nation. I know that this is a business. I’m going to attempt it. And I had the good Lord’s presence. We made $50 million in sales when I retired from that business 35 years later, at the age of 76, having invested $30,000.
His accomplishment in his career makes him proud. He remarks, “We did some neat things.” “We signed a contract with Toyota, and we supplied the aluminium for every steering wheel in every Toyota vehicle. Even though I retired in 2005, they continue to be Toyota’s exclusive supplier.
“All of this is a blessing from the good Lord. I only have myself to blame for not blowing it and making the most of the talent I was given. But everything of it comes from the Lord.
Along with his accomplishments in sports, relationships, and the workplace, Gene has been involved in the community at First United Methodist Church of Crown Point. He has held a number of leadership positions there, including chairman of the administrative board, chairman of the council of ministries, and member of the endowments and finance committees. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, which grants scholarships to high school seniors in the church youth group who maintain a good grade point average while being involved in extracurricular activities, church activities, and community service. Gene’s top priorities are serving the Lord and his church.
He says, “Let’s put this in perspective.” “All of this is a blessing from the good Lord.”I only have myself to blame for not blowing it and making the most of the talent I was given. But everything of it comes from the Lord.
In addition, he has nothing but praise for the Chicago Bears organisation and for the Halas and McCaskey families, who have owned the franchise since the Bears’ founding. Every year, Gene was given a bonus and a rise in addition to his yearly birthday present. However, he talks particularly positively about how the organisation handles past players.
The Chicago Bears send me a letter every year asking if I have any financial difficulties or if I know of any players who have. A fund has been established to assist former Bears.
The Chicago Bears will always be part of Gene’s family. He delighted in reconnecting with old friends at Bears alumni gatherings over the years, and his wife looked forward to seeing some of her closest friends ever—other Bears’ wives.
“When we played, things were different. I couldn’t tell you who was a member of the Bears four years ago, thanks to free agency today. You were a long-time member of your team while I played. Even when we quit playing football, we continued to be a family.
Over the years, he has met most of the Bears players, including the cherished Super Bowl champions of 1985–86. “Walter Payton was a remarkable individual and athlete.” I was astounded by how modest he was and how small this amazing athlete had been. However, the guys on the team were all decent guys.
About being a member of the Chicago Bears family, Gene remarks, “We were a family, and we stayed a family long after we stopped playing football.”
He likes to watch the Bears from his Park Place home these days. Though Khalil Mack is his favourite player, he will be watching the entire Chicago Bears team. They are now a member of the family, after all.
