John Albert "Automatic Jack" Manders (January 13, 1909 – January 29, 1977) was an

American football American football, referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada and also known as gridiron football, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular American football field, field with goalposts at e ...

player. He played professionally in the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

(NFL) for the

Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They are one of two remaining ...

from 1933 to 1940. A kicking savant in the era of one-platoon football, Manders gained his "Automatic" moniker kicking an NFL record 72 consecutive points after touchdown, dating from his entry into the league in the first game of

1933 Events January * January 11 – Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith makes the first commercial flight between Australia and New Zealand. * January 17 – The United States Congress votes in favour of Philippines independen ...

."Jack 'Automatic' Manders," in Pro Football Illustrated: The Picture Magazine of Pro Football: Fall 1941 Edition. Mt. Morris, IL: Elbak Publishing Co., 1941; p. 3. In his 8-season NFL career he scored a total of 368 points — 19 touchdowns, 40 field goals, and 134 points after touchdown — again an NFL individual record. Manders began his NFL career as a fullback but was moved by Bears head coach

George Halas George Stanley Halas Sr. (February 2, 1895 – October 31, 1983), nicknamed "Papa Bear", was an American professional football end, coach, and executive. He was the founder and owner of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL), ...

to the halfback position in 1937. He was used primarily as a blocker during the

1939 This year also marks the start of the World War II, Second World War, the largest and deadliest conflict in human history. Events Events related to World War II have a "WWII" prefix. January * January 1 ** Coming into effect in Nazi Ger ...

and

1940 A calendar from 1940 according to the Gregorian calendar, factoring in the dates of Easter and related holidays, cannot be used again until the year 5280. Events Below, events related to World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January *Janu ...

Bears seasons and was slated to be moved from the backfield to the line to play as a

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison gu ...

in 1941. Manders was the second pro football player to appear on a Wheaties box. He was also a member of the Chicago team coached by

that defeated the

Washington Redskins The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East ...

in the

1940 NFL Championship Game The 1940 NFL Championship Game, sometimes referred to simply as 73–0, was the eighth title game of the National Football League (NFL). It was played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., on December 8, with a sellout capacity attendance ...

by the memorable score of 73–0. He was the older brother of Clarence "Pug" Manders, who played contemporaneously as a blocking back for the NFL's

Brooklyn Dodgers The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major League Baseball team founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Grays. In 1884, it became a member of the American Association as the Brooklyn Atlantics before joining the National League in 1890. They remained in Brook ...

."Young Brothers of Pro Stars Drafted,"
''Kenosha News,'' Jan. 4, 1941, p. 3.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Manders, Jack 1909 births 1977 deaths American football fullbacks American football halfbacks American football placekickers Chicago Bears players Minnesota Golden Gophers football players Players of American football from Chicago People from Milbank, South Dakota