Card #18 in the Chicle set is Mike Mikulak. Mike played college ball at U of Oregon where he was originally a defensive player before becoming a star fullback. He led the Ducks to a share of the 1933 Pacific Coast Conference championship and was a consensus All-American that year. Mike's nickname was "Iron Mike" because he had to wear an aluminum chest protector under his uniform due to a protruding sternum.
Mikulak played fullback in the NFL from 1934-36 with the Chicago Cardinals, earning All-Pro status in 1935. In his best year, he gained 308 years rushing with a 4.2 yds/run average and scored four TDs. He retired from football after the '36 season and returned to U of Oregon to complete his degree and be an assistant coach. He was called to active duty by the Army in 1941 and was placed on a 1 year administrative leave by U of Oregon. Instead of returning to Oregon, Mikulak served in the Army for 27 years before returning to the college ranks as an administrator.
Mike is a member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame.
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jeff