Former Bears Player Gene Schroeder Dies at 95
Chicago Bears alumnus Gene Schroeder, who played for the club for seven seasons, has died at the age of 95.
Schroeder was selected as the 12th overall pick in the 1951 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he led the team in receiving yards with 461 while also playing safety.
Carole Schroeder, Schroeder’s daughter, confirmed her father’s death on Wednesday.
“He was just somebody who really loved his family, loved his life, loved his career,” Carole Schroeder told the Chicago Sun-Times. “He really appreciated all the time we had with him.”
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The University of Virginia graduate went on to have an even better campaign in 1952, but served the Navy in the following two seasons. He sustained an injury during his service that impacted the rest of his playing career.
“I was drafted really as a wide receiver because the league was changing,” Schroeder said.
Schroeder’s renowned athleticism earned him a tryout for the 1952 Olympic Games, but he ultimately declined to stay committed to playing football.
Schroeder always expressed gratitude to George Halas, the Bears’ coach and owner, for how he supported his military service. When Schroeder left the team to join the Navy, Halas provided a $2,500 salary advance and a new set of tires for his car.
After Schroeder was injured, Halas kept him on the team and continued to pay him. Halas also helped Schroeder secure an offseason job in the steel industry that paid as much as his Bears salary.
“Coach Halas was wonderful to play for and never raised his voice,” Mr. Schroeder said. “He was like a father to me.”
Schroeder stayed involved with the Bears organization for as late as the 2010’s when he attended alumni events.
“He was always very proud of being a Chicago Bear,” Matt Simeone, director of alumni and community relations with the Bears, said. “That definitely came through with him on a regular basis.”
In his later years, Schroeder lived at the Park Place of St. John Senior Community in Indiana.
He was born on March 3, 1929, in Washington, D.C., and raised in the surrounding area.
Schroeder is survived by three daughters, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and his brother.
“He’s just one of the nicest people. He talks about family a lot, but [the residents in the home are] a great big family,” said close friend and fellow resident Bobbi Jaworowski.
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