George Cannor

George Connor was a little slow to understand why his initiation into pro football was so painful. Opposing linemen kept belting him in the jaw. Eventually, though, those haymakers knocked some sense into the rookie.

In his first few pro games, Connor was the backup tackle for Fred Davis. Whenever Davis needed a rest, he would raise his hand in the huddle. That was the signal for Connor to substitute for him after the next play.

Connor's initial taste of life in the trenches came during an exhibition game. When he saw Davis' arm go up, Connor grabbed his helmet, watched the end of the play, and raced out onto the field. On his first play from scrimmage, Connor sprang into action-and was promptly punched in the mouth by the opposing lineman. Connor was smarting from the blow, but he thought

that maybe this was the typical welcome given to rookies.

Later in the same game, Connor again replaced Davis and set up against a different lineman. But the results were the same; once again, he was socked in the face.

"It was the same story during those first few games," Connor, now a Hall of Famer, recalled. "Every time I went in the game, the guy opposite me smashed me in the mouth. I thought maybe they didn't like me personally or maybe they didn't like rookies from Notre Dame. I was afraid that if this was the way pro football was played, I wasn't sure I wanted to keep playing."

Finally, early in the fifth game, Connor wised up. This time, when Davis raised his hand in the huddle, Connor kept his eyes on Davis rather than the play itself. When the ball was snapped, the rookie

saw Davis lunge across the line, punch the opposing lineman in the face, and trot off toward the Bear bench. It was then that Connor realized he was paying for all of Davis' dirty work.

"The linemen didn't pay any attention to who was opposite them," recalled Connor. "They were just mad that somebody had punched them. So from that moment on, whenever I substituted for Davis, I'd tell the opposing lineman, Fred Davis out, George Connor in.' I never got hit again.

"After that game, I asked Fred why he was doing that to me and he just laughed in my face and said, 'Why did it take you 5 games to catch on?' "

GEORGE CANNOR