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University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present University Relations
9-5-1967
Montana's Wayne Becker sent down, but signs 1968 contract with bears
University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations
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Recommended Citation University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations, "Montana's Wayne Becker sent down, but signs 1968 contract with bears" (1967). University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present. 2854. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/newsreleases/2854
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FROM INFORMATION SERVICES MISSOULA. MONTANA 59801 PHONE 243-2522 A R EA CODE 400
FOR RELEASE IMMEDIATELY schwanke 9-5-67 sports one
MONTANA'S WAYNE BECKER SENT DOWN, BUT SIGNS 1968 CONTRACT WITH BEARS
MISSOULA--
Former University of Montana tackle Wayne Becker has been cut by the Chicago Bears
of the National Football League, but owner-coach George ilalas still has high hopes for the
huge gridder, and made him sign a 1968 contract with the Chicago club.
Becker, who stood 6-7 and weighed 265 when he played recently in the Chicago Bears-
Washington Redskins NFL exhibition tilt, started with the Bears this summer as a center
and then was moved to tackle.
He will spend this season with the Eugene Bombers, a professional team in the Continen
tal League which has benefited by receiving five players dropped by the Bears.
Big Wayne will return for another try with the Bears next summer.
Raymond "Fido" Murphy, special assistant to Halas, has been chiefly responsible for
sending Becker and the other four dropped Bears to Eugene.
"We're very interested in Becker," said Murphy last week. "He could be a starting
tackle next season with the Bears-- we think he's that good."
Becker was somewhat disappointed about being dropped by the Bears, but he feels a
year at Eugene will give him a good shot at making the NFL team next year.
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