Hewitt, "Bill" (William E.)
Football
b. Oct. 8, 1909, Bay City, MI
d. Jan. 14, 1947
After starring as an end for two years at the University of Michigan, Hewitt was moved to fullback in 1931, his senior season, which probably cost him All-American recognition. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder ran 57 yards against Minnesota for the only score of the game.
He joined the Chicago Bears in 1932 and was an All-Pro end in 1933, when the Bears won the NFL championship. They were trailing the New York Giants, 21-16, in the title game when Hewitt caught a pass from Bronko Nagurski and lateraled the ball to Bill Karr, who scored a touchdown to win the game, 23-21.
Known for playing without a helmet until NFL rules required headgear in 1939, Hewitt was a solidly-built player who was once described as "three parts gorilla and one part Englishman." He had such a quick start that he was nicknamed "the Offside Kid."
After another All-Pro season in 1934, Hewitt had an off year in 1935 and was sold to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was an All-Pro again in 1936 and 1937. He was the first player to be selected as an All-Pro with two different teams.
Hewitt retired after the 1939 season, but he played sparingly with the merged Philadelphia-Pittsburgh team in 1943 because of the World War II manpower shortage. In his NFL career, he caught 101 passes for 1606 yards, a 15.9 average, and 24 touchdowns.