FRIEND — Basi Carpico was holding a 1963 NFL championship football, a gift from his friend and former Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato. The football is autographed by Fortunato and other players on the 1963 championship-winning Bears. — Christopher Dacanay
Hometown Hero — A sign on Logan Avenue identifies Mingo Junction as the home of former Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato. — Christopher Dacanay
FRIEND — Basi Carpico was holding a 1963 NFL championship football, a gift from his friend and former Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato. The football is autographed by Fortunato and other players on the 1963 championship-winning Bears. — Christopher Dacanay
MINGO JUNCTION — It’s been more than a half-century since the late Joe Fortunato made his last play on the field as part of the Chicago Bears’ defense.
The Mingo Junction native, a highly touted linebacker during his time in the NFL, was never inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which supporters say he deserves. But that may change soon.
On September 10, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the names of approximately 200 players who had been nominated for the Hall of Fame’s 2025 class of seniors.
According to the Hall of Fame, former players must have played in a professional football game before the 1999 season, or at least 25 full seasons ago, to be eligible for nomination. In addition, players must have five years of service and at least one postseason honor.
The full list of candidates included 182 players, including 100 offensive players, 77 defensive players and five special teams players. Among the other 21 linebackers on the draft list is Fortunato, who played for the Bears from 1955 to 1966.
Hometown Hero — A sign on Logan Avenue identifies Mingo Junction as the home of former Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato. — Christopher Dacanay
Established in 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a nonprofit educational institution in Canton that has honored 378 players. The mission of the museum is to “Let us pay homage to the greatest game, preserve its history, promote its values and celebrate excellence together.”
The HoF’s new Senior Selection Committee has been launched to provide input during the overall selection process. On October 3, the committee advanced 60 players to the next stage of voting, one of whom was Fortunato.
A separate Senior Blue Ribbon Committee will then perform additional phase-outs and announce three seniors as potential finalists for selection to the 2025 class in late fall. The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2025 class will be announced in August.
While with the Bears, Fortunato won the NFL Championship with the team in 1963. He was selected to the National Football League Pro Bowl five times (1958, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965) and three times. First team All-Pro (1963, 1964, 1965).
Fortunato finished his career with 16 interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries, which at the time was an NFL record for most fumble recoveries by a linebacker.
Before entering the NFL, Fortunato rose to prominence at Mississippi State University. Fortunato, a Bulldog player from 1949 to 1952, earned All-Southeastern Conference, All-South and All-American defense in 1951. His success led to him being selected in the seventh round, 80th overall, in the 1952 NFL Draft, but his career was put on hold as he served two years in the Army as a lieutenant during the Korean War. It became.
Fortunato was selected as one of four linebackers on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1950s. He is currently one of only four players and the only defensive player named to a team who is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Fortunato is also named to the teams, rankings and honor lists of several other associations, including the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and the Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame. Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Chicago Tribune Hall of Fame “The 100 Greatest Chicago Bears of All Time”
Before all his honors, Joseph Francis Fortunato Jr. was born on March 28, 1930, and raised in Mingo Junction. At Old Mingo High School, Fortunato excelled in football, basketball, and track, becoming a member of the All-Eastern Ohio State team and being named MVP of the Ohio-West Virginia All-Star Game before graduating in 1948. I did.
Fortunato, who passed away on November 6, 2017 at the age of 87, would not be able to accept induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame if it were to happen. However, many who carry on his memory will be happy to see the local legend get the result he deserves.
Birch Carpico graduated from Mingo High School in 1948 with Fortunato. The two of us “Good friend” Fortunato agreed to serve as a groomsman at Carpico’s wedding in 1955.
Carpico recalled traveling to Cleveland to watch Fortunato and the Bears play the Browns. Before that, Carpico traveled to Tennessee to watch a friend, then a senior, play at Mississippi State University.
“The coach (at the University of Tennessee) was Robert Neyland.” Calpico said. “He walked across the field and after the game praised Joe as one of the best players the team had ever faced. … (He) went straight to Joe so the team wouldn’t have to face him anymore. I told him I was happy about that. It’s a great compliment from a great coach.”
Carpico, who was given an autographed 1963 championship football by Fortunato, kept in touch with friends and often asked if they needed anything.
“He was just a great guy, a really good guy.” Calpico said.
Fortunato won numerous awards in his hometown. The Indian Creek Middle School campus is home to the Joe Fortunato Student Activities Field. Scholarships named after Fortunato were established in Indian Creek and Mississippi states. Fortunato himself was awarded the key to the city and the Logan Street sign on November 4, 2007 in Mingo.
Fortunato’s wife, Catherine Fortunato, was thrilled to hear of his HoF nomination; “Excellent athlete” He studied the game and posted many entries in the record books. Not only that, Joe Fortunato “Very nice person” and a dedicated community patron.
After graduating from Mingo High School, Fortunato was scouted by his coach at the time to Virginia Military Academy, Katherine Fortunato recalled. Joe Fortunato didn’t like VMI and quit, but when the coach transferred to Mississippi State, he followed him there.
Even before becoming a professional soccer player, Fortunato enjoyed the game. While in the Army, he served as the head coach of the Army football team, leading the team to a championship in 1954.
For Fortunato “Very good career” His wife said he speaks highly of Bears coach George Halas. Fortunato would later serve as the Bears’ linebackers coach and defensive coordinator.
After retiring, Fortunato settled in Natchez, Michigan, where he started a family and entered the oil business. After the death of his first wife Mary Joy “Noonie” Fortunato would marry Catherine in 2002. Joe Fortunato, who has three adult children, was also kind to his two adult children, said Katherine Fortunato, who has lived in Dallas since 2019.
The couple enjoyed spending time together, often going out to eat, fishing, and attending football games. Joe Fortunato had a gruff and intimidating demeanor, but in reality he “Big Teddy Bear” his wife said.
Joe Fortunato owned Big Joe Oil Company, Big Joe Operating, and Big Joe Real Estate. He was involved in many committees and charities and was instrumental in establishing the Joe Fortunato Celebrity Golf Tournament. The tournament, which included fellow retired football players, raised $10,000 annually to provide scholarships to seven area schools.
“I think he should be in the (Pro Football Hall of Fame) because he was a very good player for the Chicago Bears in every statistic.” Catherine Fortunato added: “Joe was a very nice person and received a lot of praise.”
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