Lee Robert Reno Artoe (March 2, 1917  April 1, 2005) was an American professional football player for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and All-America Football Conference (AAFC). A tackle, Artoe played for the NFL's Chicago Bears (1940–1942, 1945). In the AAFC, he played for the Los Angeles Dons (1946–1947) and Baltimore Colts (1948).[1]

Lee Artoe
Artoe, circa 1946
No. 35, 1, 44, 48
PositionsTackle, placekicker
Personal information
Born(1917-03-02)March 2, 1917
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
DiedApril 1, 2005(2005-04-01) (aged 88)
Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight234 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High schoolLincoln (WA)
CollegeSanta Clara
California
NFL draft1940: 11th round, 97th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics
Games played84
Games started62
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Artoe played college football at University of Santa Clara, with the Santa Clara Broncos, and in 1940 was picked in the 11th round by Chicago.[2] He returned a fumble in the 1942 NFL Championship Game 52 yards for the first score of the game.[3]

Artoe's grave at Memorial Park Cemetery

Artoe served in the U.S. Navy as a member of the Underwater Demolition Team.

He died in Wilmette, Illinois on April 1, 2005, and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie.[1]

References

edit
  1. 1 2 McCarthy, Brendan (April 5, 2005). "Lee Artoe, 88 - Hard-nosed 2-way player on Bears champion team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  2. "1940 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  3. The Coffin Corner Archived December 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine: Vol. 18, No. 4 (1996) -Retrieved January 15, 2011