18 Facts About Gus Sonnenberg

Gustave Adolph Sonnenberg was an American football player and professional wrestler of German descent and World Heavyweight Champion.

Gus Sonnenberg played in the National Football League from 1923 until 1930, for the Buffalo All-Americans, Columbus Tigers, Detroit Panthers, and Providence Steam Roller, where he was a member of the 1928 NFL championship team.

Gus Sonnenberg went on to Dartmouth College in 1916, dropping out after his first year, but returning for a second year in 1919 before transferring to the University of Detroit Mercy, where he graduated.

In 1923, at age 25, Gus Sonnenberg turned professional, playing in the NFL for the Buffalo All Americans and the Columbus Tigers.

Gus Sonnenberg played two seasons for the Detroit Panthers and then joined the Providence Steam Roller in 1927 and played on the NFL championship team there in 1928.

Gus Sonnenberg held the title for nearly two years before losing it to Ed Don George on December 10,1930, in Los Angeles.

In October 1929, Gus Sonnenberg was attacked on the streets of Los Angeles by part-time wrestler Pete Ladjimi in an attempt to expose the reigning world champion as weak.

Gus Sonnenberg was again recognized as world champion in the Boston area in 1939, after defeating and unmasking The Shadow to become the American Wrestling Association champion.

Gus Sonnenberg only held the title for 13 days before dropping it to Steve "Crusher" Casey in Boston on March 29,1939.

Gus Sonnenberg continued to wrestle until joining the Navy in 1942.

In July 1932, Gus Sonnenberg was involved in a fatal car accident in Lawrence, Massachusetts when the car he was driving hit the car of policeman Richard Morrissey, who was killed.

Gus Sonnenberg was charged with drunk driving and was acquitted in March 1933.

Four months later, in July 1933, Gus Sonnenberg was reported to have suffered a heart attack in Los Angeles.

Allen announced her intention to file for divorce while Gus Sonnenberg was recovering in the hospital.

Gus Sonnenberg was said to have been seen on a date with Gary Cooper.

Gus Sonnenberg was later married to Mildred Micelli, who left him.

In 1942, during World War II, Gus Sonnenberg joined the Navy.

Gus Sonnenberg was serving there when he died of leukemia at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland on September 12,1944, at age 46.