Gus Sonnenberg

Discuss candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the PFRA's Hall of Very Good
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TanksAndSpartans
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Gus Sonnenberg

Post by TanksAndSpartans »

One of the best of his era at his position...

-Bob Carroll: http://www.profootballresearchers.org/a ... 05-233.pdf

-PFC: https://www.abebooks.com/9780020283003/ ... 283008/plp

-NFL title with Providence in '28

-Post-season honors from at least one organization 6 straight seasons. His PFR card https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... nnGu20.htm doesn't show his 1924 first-team All-Anthracite selection:
3-All-Anthracite-Mount_Carmel_Item_12_29_24.jpg
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Last edited by TanksAndSpartans on Fri Aug 13, 2021 7:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bob Gill
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Re: Gus Sonnenberg

Post by Bob Gill »

Just out of curiosity, where did that clipping come from? I have three all-star teams for the anthracite teams in 1924, all of which I found in the Pottsville Republican; one was picked by that paper, and the other two are supposed to have come from the Shenandoah Herald and the Mount Carmel News. But none of them matches this one you posted, and also none of them included a second team, as this one did. So this is an interesting addition to the mix.
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TanksAndSpartans
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Re: Gus Sonnenberg

Post by TanksAndSpartans »

Hi Bob, I cited it as Mount Carmel Item, 12-29-24 (I used it for a Tony Latone bio I did a while back).
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TanksAndSpartans
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Re: Gus Sonnenberg

Post by TanksAndSpartans »

Was reading Pudge Heffelfinger's book last night and came across this:
Dartmouth's strongest lineman? Gus Sonnenberg of the 1919 edition. He later became professional wrestling champion. Gus cost the Dartmouth Athletic Association plenty of money by ripping out hotel room radiators from the floor - just one of his playful habits.
Getting somewhat of an endorsement or at least a mention from pro football's first document pro should be worth at least a couple HOVG votes. I figure anyone who blows off steam by ripping out radiators was no picnic to go up against on the field. Let's show the HOF that they shouldn't forget super seniors by getting a few more into the HOVG.

Edited to add, postseason honors are strong:
Screen Shot 2023-08-24 at 11.10.12 AM.png
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If you count '24, 6 distinct seasons with honors is the same as Powell and one more than McMichael (both got into the HOF yesterday). And as far as contemporaries, 3 more than HOFer Steve Owen, 2 more than HOFer Pete Henry, 1 more than HOFer Ed Healey, even with HOFer Duke Slater, and one less than the great Cal Hubbard.
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