Bill Hewitt: "The Off-Side Kid"

 LOOKING BACK
By Chris Willis, NFL Films

Bill Hewitt, Bears end (Color: PFJ) 

PFJ looks back at the career of Bill Hewitt. Last summer PFJ ranked the greatest two-way players of the Pre-WW II era by positions. For the Ends, Hewitt came in at number #3 behind Don Hutson and Guy Chamberlin. 

Nicknamed the “Offside Kid” for his explosive first step on defense, the 5-9, 190-pound Hewitt might’ve been the best defensive end during the NFL’s Pre-WWII era. He never stopped moving, especially on defense, compared to Lawrence Taylor with a motor that didn’t stop. Hewitt developed a technique of playing off the ball a few yards and sprinting to line of scrimmage to time snap of ball…Had a powerful upper-body, barrel-chest, and muscular arms to dish out punishment. “Bill Hewitt, of the Chicago Bears, was as tough on defense as he was agile on offense,” once said Mel Hein, Giants Hall of Fame center, about Hewitt. 

Hewitt played 9 seasons (101 games) with the Bears and Philadelphia Eagles- coming back in 1943 to play for the merged Steagles (was traded to Eagles for Sam Francis, a deal that Halas regretted). Was a member of 2 NFL Championship teams with the Bears, 1932-1933. He was also known to be an excellent player on special teams, running down on kickoffs and punts, and had a great ability to block punts. A perfect example of his special teams’ play came in a game against the Packers in 1933 (Sept. 24). The Bears, trailing 7-0 in the 4^th quarter, Hewitt blocked a field goal kick that led to him throwing a TD pass (to Luke Johnsos), then minutes later blocked a punt that he scooped up and returned for the game-winning score in a 14-7 win. 

Hewitt led NFL in TD catches in 1934 (5) and was 2^nd in 1936… finished career with 103 catches for 1,638 yards and 23 TD catches (26 total TDs)…In 1933, on end around plays threw 3 TD passes; Bears developed play where fullback would charge line, stop short and throw “pop pass” to end on slant in middle of field; sometimes the end, especially Hewitt, would then lateral to the other end who trailed the play. This play was used by Hewitt- who lateraled to Bill Karr- for the winning score in the First NFL Championship Game in 1933 to help the Bears defeat the Giants, 23-21. 

1933 NFL Championship Game, Bears vs Giants. Hewitt, no helmet, laterals to Bears end, Bill Karr, game-winning touchdown. (Color: PFJ) 

Throughout his NFL career Hewitt achieved many honors. 

He was First-team All-Pro five times by Collyers (1932-34, 1936-37); four times by the NFL (1933-34, 1936-37) and UP (1933-34, 1936, 1938); three times by the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Chicago Daily News; and once by Brooklyn Eagle (1933) and Boston Post (1934)…He was named Second-team by NFL in 1932 and 1938; I.N.S. in 1938 and by New York Daily News in 1937…Named to NFL 1930’s All-Decade Team…Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971…In selecting his All-time Team, Giants center Mel Hein choose Don Hutson and Bill Hewitt as his two ends. In 1949 the Chicago Bears retired his no.56 jersey. “Hewitt was absolutely fearless. He was a happy go-lucky guy until he stepped onto the field- and then he was a terror on offense and defense. He asked no quarter nor gave any.” – George Halas on Hewitt in 1971.

Along with his brilliant playing career, Hewitt was a star in the city of Chicago. Numerous times he was asked to make an appearance. Whether it was teaching young boys how to play the game of football or endorsing a product Hewitt was always around the Windy City to make his presence felt. 

Red Grange (with football) and Bill Hewitt (boy on his lap) teach young Chicago boys the game of football, 1934 (Color: PFJ)