Del Bjork

Del Bjork

Delbert Bjork, 1935. University of Oregon.
No. 82
Position:	OT/DT
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1914-06-27)June 27, 1914
Place of birth:	Astoria, Oregon
Date of death:	August 26, 1988(1988-08-26) (aged 74)
Place of death:	Astoria, Oregon
Career information
College:	Oregon
NFL Draft:	1937 / Round: 6 / Pick: 58
Career history
Chicago Bears (1937–1938)
Career highlights and awards
1× Pro Bowl selection (1938) Oregon Sports Hall of Fame (1982)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 20 Games started: 9 Player stats at NFL.com

Delbert Leonard "Del" Bjork (June 27, 1914 – August 26, 1988) was a professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He played two seasons for the Chicago Bears (1937–1938).^[1]

Bjork was born in Deep River, Washington and grew up in Astoria, Oregon. He played football for Astoria High School^[2] and then for the Oregon Ducks from 1934-36. On September 1, 1937, Bjork played with the College All-Stars against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in Chicago.^[3] The All-Stars won that game 6-0. After receiving his BS in physical education from the University of Oregon in 1937 ^[4] he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round. In 1940 Bjork earned an MS in education from the University of Oregon. He then went on to have a successful career in the military.^[5]

Bjork was awarded the Purple Heart with oak leaf clusters in 1944.^[6] As a captain he was recognized with the Distinguished Service Cross for his World War II service.^[7] After the war he continued his career in the military earning the rank of colonel and was published in Military Review in 1951.^[8]

Bjork was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1982.^[9]

References