Ray Nolting #25
Chicago Bears
1936 – 1944
Left Halfback
While Nolting was used primarily for his blocking skills to lead the way for the likes of Bronko Nagurski, Sid Luckman, Bill Osmanski, and George McAfee, Ray was a vital member of three World Championship teams (1940, 1941, and 1943) and five divisional championship teams. Playing in a galaxy of all-time NFL greats, Nolting was elected MVP three times. In 1937, Ray was an honorable mention on the All-Pro team and was named the league’s “fastest starting back” and “best quick kicker”.
In 1940, the year the Bears beat the Washington Redskins 73-0 in the World Championship game, Nolting led the Bears in total yards, yards per carry, and had intercepted four passes.
Nolting was also a big member of the 1942 team which was undefeated during the regular season (11-0) only to be upset by the Washington Redskins 14-6 in the championship game.
During Nolting’s eight-year career, the Chicago Bears amasses a record of 73 wins, 19 losses and two ties – a 77.6% winning percentage. The Bears were the only team to win two more World Championships over the next 20 seasons.
While Nolting was a virtual unknown in Chicago, early in his rookie year he proved his value. Nolting got his first chance to start in the second Packer/Bear game In '36. Beattie Feathers hurt his ankle and Ray was sent into the game. The Bears ran an of-tackle play and Bronk (Bronko Nagurski) made about 15 yards. Nolting blocked and knocked down the Packer's Hall of Fame linebacker Clarke Hinkle to lead the play. Bronk came back to the huddle and said "anyone who could knock that Hinkle on his ass can play on my first team." "Halas always listened to Bronk. Anything Bronko wanted... Bronko got. From that time on, I was a first-string player." recalled Nolting in a 1985 interview.
Earning the nickname "Jolting Nolting" for his amazingly fast starts, speed, and fierce running, Ray led the 1940 Bears in total yards, yards per carry. That same year, the Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73-0 to win the World Championship. This game is still the biggest blowout In NFL history.
In all, Ray was named team MVP three times. Nolting was All-Pro leading his teams to an overall record of 69-17-2 with an 89% winning percentage. Nolting's teams won 5 Western Division Championships and were World Champions In 1940, 1941 and 1943.
CAREER STATISTICS
RUSHING ATTEMPTS 508
RUSHING YARDS 2,285
YARDS PER CARRY 4.5
TOUCHDOWNS 16
RECEPTIONS 30
YARDS GAINED 507
YARDS PER CATCH 16.9
While no statistics have been found, Nolting was an effective punter and a highly skilled "Quick Kicker." A skill which has vanished from today's game.
Defensively, Nolting was normally matched with the opponents best receivers and had many games facing the likes of the Green Bay Packers’ Don Hudson, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Don Looney, and the Chicago Cardinals' Gaynell Tinsley.
It should be noted that of all the Chicago Bears who played during the "one platoon" era also known as "2-way players," only the legendary Bronko Nagurski amassed more yards rushing than Ray Nolting. That list includes Hall of Famer George McAfee plus Bill Osmanski, Beattie Feathers, Gary Famiglietti, Jack Manders, and Hugh Gallerneau to name a few.
Nolting's 1940 NFl contract
Nolting's contract for the 1940 season... one page, witnessed by his mother-in-law at the agreed upon rate of $200.00 per regular season game played. This contract was from his 4th season after having been named All-Pro and team MVP.
As a note, he was not paid for practice (preseason) games, only hotel and travel expenses.
Only 75% of his salary was paid after the game while 25% was paid at the close of the season.
The National Football League was just starting to gain traction and in an effort to promote this growing sport, in 1936, the Bears agreed to embark on a barnstorming tour across the country to promote the league. The Bears played in Oklahoma, Texas and California. While In Los Angeles, the team was treated to a trip to the Warner Bros. Studio and to the sound stage of Michael Curtiz, an Academy Award winning director whose credits include Casablanca.
A short break during a brutal season In which the Bears when 9-3 in league play but also played 10 exhibition games as well. In 1937 the Bears played 25 games In an effort to build the national audience for professional football.
