William Ernest (Bill) Hewitt

William Ernest “Bill” Hewitt

University of Michigan Football Player (1929 - 1931)
NFL Player (1932 - 1943)

Bill Hewitt was born in Bay City, Michigan where he attended Bay City Central High School. He went on to play football at the University of Michigan where he was the team’s MVP and named an All-Big Ten selection after his senior season. He moved on to the Chicago Bears helping them win the 1933 NFL Championship. After five seasons with the Bears he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles where he continued his excellence for an additional three seasons. He initially retired then came back three years later to play one season with a combined team from the Steelers and the Eagles. In all he played nine NFL seasons being named All-Pro six times and being named to the NFL 1930’s All Decade Team. Bill Hewitt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame, had his number “56” retired by the Chicago Bears.  He was also inducted into the U of M Athletic Hall of Honor in 2008 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1961. He passed away on January 14, 1947 at 37 years of age.