Sport(s) Football 1941 UCLA (assistant) 1931–1933 Nebraska Name Bernie Masterson | 1934–1940 Chicago Bears Role American football player 1940 Stanford (assistant) Positions Quarterback | |
 | ||
Born August 10, 1911
Shenandoah, Iowa ( 1911-08-10 ) 1945 St. Mary's Naval Pre-Flight Died May 16, 1963, Chicago, Illinois, United States Education University of Nebraska–Lincoln | ||
Bernard Edward "Bernie" Masterson (August 10, 1911 – May 16, 1963) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from 1946 to 1947, compiling a record of 5–13. Masterson played college football at Nebraska from 1931 to 1933. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Bears from 1934 to 1940.
Contents
Playing career
Masterson was a three-sport athlete at Lincoln High. He was an all-state back in football, a starter on the 1930 state championship basketball team, and a track star.
Moving on to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, he starred from 1931 to 1933 as a back on three straight unbeaten Big Six championship teams. He was selected All-Big Six in 1933.
Masterson played quarterback for the Chicago Bears from 1934 to 1940 when the Bears were known as the "Monsters of the Midway". During his pro career, the Bears were 59–19–3 and were in three NFL championship playoffs. Bernie has an NFL career total of 3,372 passing yards and 35 touchdowns.
Coaching career
In 1940, Clark Shaughnessy hired Masterson to coach Stanford quarterback Frankie Albert. He came back to Nebraska as head football coach for 1946 and 1947. He went 5–13 in the two seasons as head coach.
Death and honors
Masterson died of a heart attack in Chicago on May 16, 1963. He was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1977.