Charlie O'Rourke

Bio

Charles Christopher O'Rourke was born in Montreal, Canada and attended high school in Malden, Mass. Skinny at 155 pounds on a 5-10 frame, "Chuckin Charlie" was one of the most clever tailbacks the game has known, leading Boston College to a 9-1 record in the 1939 regular season campaign, and the Eagles' first bowl invitation. BC lost to Clemson, 6-3, in that 1940 Cotton Bowl contest. He used his senior season to lead the Eagles to a 11-0-0 record and inspired the team to a come-from-behind 19-13 victory over powerful Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl. However, O'Rourke's finest acclaim came earlier that season; in a classic battle with previously unbeaten Georgetown - a game that Grantland Rice heralded as "the greatest college football game I've ever seen." Boston College was clinging to a 19-16 lead with two minutes remaining when, on fourth down, O'Rourke raced back to his end zone, eluding tacklers for what seemed like a full minute before taking a safety. He then punted BC out of trouble and preserved a 19-18 victory. At Boston College he played one year under Gil Dobie, two years under Frank Leahy, and made All-America in 1940. He had a pro football career with the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Dons, and Baltimore Colts1942, 1946-49. He coached football at the University of Massachusetts 1952-59. He served as commissioner of the Pop Warner League, a national organization of junior football teams.

Career Highlights

• 1940 First Team All-America