Gene Ronzani

Born and raised in Iron Mountain, Michigan in the state's Upper Peninsula, Ronzani's parents immigrated from Italy; his father Giovanni (John) arrived in 1898 and worked as miner and was naturalized in 1904. He was then able to send for his wife in Italy, Caterina Broglio Ronzani (Catherine), and their two oldest siblings. Five more children were born in Michigan, Gene was the fifth of the seven.{{cite web|url=http://www.italiangenealogy.com/forum/italian-genealogy/1994 |publisher=Italian Genealogy |title=Ronzani in Ironwood |access-date=March 21, 2014}} He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1929, just across the state border with Wisconsin. Following two older brothers, he headed south to Milwaukee and enrolled at Marquette University.

Gene "Tuffy" Ronzani was a chief contributor to Marquette sports in the early 1930s as the first of two MU nine-letter athletes. He was born in Iron Mountain, a small mining town in Michigan's upper peninsula (on the Wisconsin border) and entered Marquette in the fall of 1929, following his two brothers Anthony and David Ronzani of a first generation Italian family. Gene went out for freshman football, track and basketball and made all three varsity teams his sophomore year. "I wasn't interested in individual records," he once mentioned. "What good does it do if you score all the points and the team loses? Why, I can't even remember my records." But his records were history. In football under Coach Frank Murray, the 1930 team marched to a nine-game undefeated season under the sparkling leadership of Ronzani and John Sisk. Tuffy played either quarterback or fullback on offense and safety or linebacker on defense. He and Sisk both were to become All-Americans.

Ronzani was second in scoring his sophomore year. During Ronzani's junior year the Hilltoppers (as Marquette teams were called then) compiled an 8–1 record. As a senior, he led the gridders to a 5-3-1 record, not fully indicative of the hard-fought games and near misses.

While Ronzani was on the basketball squad the cagers did not suffer a losing season. Marquette garnered records of 11–7, 11-8 and 14-3 under Coach Bill Shandler. The Tribune said, "Ronzani particularly had a rollicking time of it, as he roamed all over the floor, scrambling anyone in his path and usually coming up with the ball in the wildest sort of melee."

In track, Ronzani under Coach Con Jennings, was a consistent team man in shot put and javelin. He competed with Marquette's 1932 Central Collegiate champions, and also tried out for the US Olympic team in the spring of 1932. After graduation Tuffy joined the Chicago Bears' National Football league championship drive. After Ronzani's playing days, he joined the Bear coaching staff and served in a coaching position under The Coach and Bear owner George "Papa Bear" Halas until 1950. In 1950, he was hired as head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Packers. Tuffy introduced the first Black American player into the Packer lineup as Green Bay's coach, a move he was widely criticized for at the time. As head coach and general manager, Ronzani's first game was against the Detroit Lions at aging City Stadium in Green Bay. The 22,096 fans were first introduced to new green and gold uniforms. Both jerseys and pants were kelly green with gold numbers on the tops, two gold stripes around the upper sleeves, and a one-inch gold stripe down the side of each leg.

Ronzani's football genius originated such formations as the double-wing, the shotgun offenses and the umbrella defense. It is now believed that many of his formations were his way of confusing his good friend and then arch-rival George Halas. Both coaches knew all too well each other's onfield football tactics.

In tribute to his fantastic career at Marquette, a Marquette Tribune story in 1932 honored him saying that "Ronzani easily finds a place for himself among Marquette's immortals."

Ronzani entered the NFL three years before the first NFL Draft and played in the backfield for the Chicago Bears from 1933 to 1938. At age 35, he returned to the Bears during World War II in 1944 as a replacement for quarterback Sid Luckman,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OCsaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uiMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3562%2C563492 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=Bears recall Gene Ronzani |date=August 17, 1944 |page=8, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414044409/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OCsaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uiMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3562,563492 |url-status=dead }} and also played in 1945.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wd5OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zP8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3874%2C164699 |newspaper=Toledo Blade |agency=United Press |title=Chicago Bears bench Luckman |date=November 1, 1945 |page=29}}{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sKkaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LyMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3657%2C302831 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Luckman of Bears is benched; Ronzani will get call Sunday |agency=United Press |date=November 1, 1945 |page=8, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422114019/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sKkaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LyMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3657,302831 |url-status=dead }}

In 1939, Bears' owner George Halas purchased the Newark Tornadoes of the American Association and renamed them the "Newark Bears." Ronzani was named the head coach of the New Jersey team and stayed for three years, until the league suspended play before the 1942 season.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5UwfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qk0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6492%2C1360663 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Press |last=Livingston |first=Pat |title=Ronzani to coach Steeler backfield|date=March 21, 1954 |page=1, section 3 }} The American Association returned in 1946 as the "American Football League," and the minor league Bears moved from Newark to Akron, Ohio, where Ronzani resumed his duties as head coach.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L1obAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-kwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3548%2C898256 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Press |agency=United Press |title=Ronzani named coach at Akron |date=September 1, 1946|page=9 }}

Ronzani was hired as the backfield coach at Notre Dame in March 1945,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AstYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UugDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4581%2C5772896 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |title=Notre Dame coaching staff in sorry state |agency=Associated Press |date=March 15, 1945 |page=20}} but he left in early September to rejoin the Bears as a player,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CecgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=920FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3947%2C454401 |newspaper=Norwalk (CT) Hour |agency=Associated Press |last=Liska |first=Jerry |title=Notre Dame ace quits grid team |date=September 6, 1945 |page=13 }} weeks before the opener in late September.

Starting in 1947, Ronzani was brought up to the parent NFL club in Chicago. He was the backfield coach for three seasons under owner and head coach Halas.

Ronzani became only the second head coach of the Green Bay Packers in February 1950, following the resignation of founder Curly Lambeau. After two 3–9 seasons in 1950 and 1951, the Packers were 6–3 in 1952, but finished at .500 with three straight losses. In January 1953, Ronzani agreed to a second three-year contract offered by the executive committee.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8UUxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RhAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7016%2C6372883 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |title=Ronzani signs three year contract as Packer coach |last=Larson |first=Lloyd |date=January 20, 1953 |page=2, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410143705/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8UUxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RhAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7016,6372883 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19530120&id=kPwjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fSMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6864,2010451 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Ronzani gets 3-year contract to continue as Packer coach |date=January 20, 1953 |page=7, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406093746/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19530120&id=kPwjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fSMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6864,2010451 |url-status=dead }} The 1953 season held promise, but the Packers had a 2–6–1 record entering the Thanksgiving Day game at Detroit, in which they were defeated 34–15 on national television, outscored 27–0 in the second half.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AY4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XRAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7105%2C2857073 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Lions rally in 2nd half to whip Packers, 34-14 |date=November 27, 1953 |page=4, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412001704/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AY4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XRAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7105,2857073 |url-status=dead }} Ronzani resigned the next day with two games remaining and received a $7,500 severance.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ky9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=POYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6830%2C5030279 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |title=Loss-plagued pilot leaves Green Bay pros |date=November 28, 1953 |page=11 }} The Packers lost all eight games with the Lions in his four seasons as head coach, while Detroit won the NFL title in both 1952 and 1953. Packer assistant coaches Hugh Devore and Ray McLean shared the interim head coaching duties in final two games in California,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LLkdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1SQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4268%2C4097304 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=49ers bury Packers in mud, rain, 48-14 |date=December 7, 1953 |page=15, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407143901/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LLkdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1SQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4268,4097304 |url-status=dead }} both losses, and Green Bay ended 1953 at 2–9–1, last in the Western Conference. Ronzani was present in the press box at the San Francisco game.

{{cquote|Before he departed, though, Ronzani hired Jack Vainisi as full-time talent scout. Vainisi would receive credit for discovering the seven Hall of Famers drafted from 1953-58: C Jim Ringo, T Forrest Gregg, QB Bart Starr, HB Paul Hornung, FB Jim Taylor, LB Ray Nitschke and G Jerry Kramer. |20px|[http://packers.com/history/birth_of_a_team_and_a_legend/#chapter3 Birth of a Team and a Legend] }}

Ronzani's legacy with the Packers includes an emphasis on green as a primary team color, having discarded his predecessor Curly Lambeau's blue-and-gold uniforms:{{cquote|Ronzani also is credited with "solidifying" green into the uniform color scheme, something he introduced in taking over the team in 1950.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s7pQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bCMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6563%2C1888437 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Green Bay crushed by Detroit, 45 to 7 |date=September 18, 1950 |page=6, part 2}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eKIaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rSwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6429%2C628666 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Green and going? Packers study colors change |last=Ledbetter |first=Darryl O. |date=August 10, 1993|page=C1 }} He did so, saying, "We are the 'Green' Bay Packers," emphasizing the color green. |20px|20px|Lee Remmel|[http://packers.com/news/stories/2007/07/17/1/ July 17, 2007; Letters To Lee Remmel] }}

During the December 1952 game against the Rams in Los Angeles, the Packers arrived with only their gold jerseys, similar in shade to what the Rams normally wore at home. Both teams wore gold and the Rams played the game under protest; with a strong second half Los Angeles won by 18 points.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=neZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=viMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2506%2C4564122 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Packers, Rams both wear gold jerseys; it's confusing |agency=Associated Press |date=December 8, 1952 |page=9, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421082656/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=neZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=viMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2506,4564122 |url-status=dead }}

Kelly green uniforms were worn in the first game of the 1950 season; Vince Lombardi is credited with introducing the present shade of dark green in 1959.

Ronzani was hired in March 1954 as the backfield coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, under head coach Joe Bach.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uH5IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5GoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3145%2C2676647 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |last=Sell |first=Jack |title=Gene Ronzani huddles with Bach here |date=May 11, 1954 |page=18}} After three straight home defeats to open the pre-season, the third a 36–14 loss to the lowly Packers, Bach resigned during training camp in late August.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xZZRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1moDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1445%2C3332000 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |last=Sell |first=Jack |title=Bach resigns as Steeler football coach |date=August 30, 1954 |page=1 }} He was succeeded by line coach Walt Kiesling, a previous head coach with the team.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_TpWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=X-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5109%2C4342054 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=United Press |title=Kiesling gets Steeler post |date=August 30, 1954 |page=2B }}

The Steelers won four of five to open the 1954 regular season, but then lost six of the final seven and finished at 5–7, fourth in the Eastern Conference. With the fast start, attendance in Pittsburgh was high and the season was profitable; days before the final game, Kiesling was rewarded by owner Art Rooney with a new two-year contract, estimated at $12,000 per year.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bXxIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=22oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5899%2C4490826 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |title=Kiesling to coach Steelers for two more years |last=Sell |first=Jack |date=December 8, 1954 |page=22 }} Less than two weeks after the final game, Ronzani was encouraged by Rooney to resign.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZJtRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D2wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4987%2C2382995 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |title=Steelers fire Ronzani; Cherundulo resigns |last=Jordan |first=Jimmy |date=December 23, 1954 |page=12}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WtUeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vk0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6673%2C1793311 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Press |title=Cherundulo resigns; Ronzani fired |last=Livingston |first=Pat |date=December 23, 1954 |page=9}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F9BQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qSMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3287%2C811312 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=Ronzani quits Steelers post |date=December 23, 1954 |page=7, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410000040/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F9BQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qSMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3287,811312 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nwgaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YiMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4429%2C8372994 |newspaper=Times-News|location=Hendersonville, NC |agency=United Press |title=Ronzani resigns as Steeler coach |date=December 24, 1954 |page=8 }}

Ronzani had heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic in 1968, and died in 1975 at age 66.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EoBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zhEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7123%2C2618854 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |title=Ronzani services set for Tuesday |date=September 15, 1975 |page=2, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408103413/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EoBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zhEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7123,2618854 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FIBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zhEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5027%2C2947903 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |title=Calls Ronzani 'kindest man' |date=September 17, 1975 |page=2, part 2 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403155445/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FIBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zhEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5027,2947903 |url-status=dead }} He was buried at Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.

;Citations

{{Reflist}}

;Sources

• An article believed to be from the Milwaukee Tribune written by Barb Schumaker.
• Larry D. Names book; "The History Of The Green Bay Packers", Subtitled "The Shameful Years", Ptd. 1995.

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