Notre Dame Football: Biggest NFL Draft steals of all-time

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader waves a flag during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Clemson Tigers at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Notre Dame Football. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame Football: Biggest NFL Draft steals of all-time

Lou Rymkus-Tackle

1943 Draft: Round 7, Pick 60

Lou Rymkus was tough. Playing for Notre Dame Football at the start of the Frank Leahy era, you had to be. Still, Rymkus stood out from the pack, even having been known to leave the game against Georgia Tech in 1941 for 14 stitches, then coming back to play in the same game.

He’d be named an All-American and team MVP in 1942, his final season at Notre Dame.

He was originally drafted by Washington in 1943 and was a key player on that 1943 team, but only played one season there due to World War II. Rymkus joined the Marines until the end of the war. His role in the military was primarily training due to his knowledge of fitness. Once the war ended, he decided to sign with the Cleveland Browns. It’s said he hitchhiked to Cleveland from his home in Indiana.

In Cleveland, Rymkus put together a great career. He would be a four-time Pro Bowler and a four-time AAFC Champion. In 1950, he added an NFL Championship. 1951 would be the last of a great career, one where he helped to build up the Browns’ organization, was known as the best pass blocker in the game and protected Otto Graham.

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