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Williams Inks Three-Year Bear Pact Irish Quarterback Teams With Lujack Two Ex-Notre Dame Greats Give Halas More Defensive Strength in Coming Season By the United Press Owner-coach George Halas and the Bears harvested their first plum of the 1950 college crop of football stars yesterday, signing Notre Dames All-American quarterback, Bob Williams, to a three-year contract. Williams was drafted by the Bears on Baltimores first selection at the January National Football League meeting. Only one other player, Southern Methodists Kyle Rote, was named earlier, going to the New York Giants as the bonus pick. The Bears had obtained Baltimores first draft selection in a pre-se.ason trade, the same manner in which the Halas eleven also obtained the first pick of the New York Yankees, in order to grab three first-draft choices in the annual selections. But Williams was Halas number one objective for the season and he hesitated hardly a minute when Baltimore yielded; the choice before he called out the name of the Irish-Signal caller. "Hes going to be a valuable addition to our team," Halas said today. "Weve-been watching him for a long time, and we think hell fit right in. Hell be playing with Johnny Lujack, and with the two of them, that means we can use* one of them oh defense most of the time." Perennial NFL Champions The Bears, perennial champions of the NFL, but runners-up for the western division title for the past five years, badly needed defensive backs last season, and it was obvious Halas was as elated over signing Williams for help in this department as for his ability as quarterback. Williams set six Notre Dame passing records during his two seasons as first-string quarterback and part of the 1948 season as understudy to Frank Tripucka. These were for most passes attempted, in one and three seasons, most completed in one and three seasons, most yards gained in one season, and most touchdown passes in. one season. During his college career, Williams attempted 371 passes and completed 190 for 2,519 yards and 26 touchdowns. His greatest day came in 1949 when the Irish, who finished the season undefeated, beat Michigan State, 34 to 21. Williams completed 13 of 16 passes, scoring a touchdown on a 40-yard run, and had a part in all Irish scoring. Military policies will determine whether Williams will start, or complete the 1951 season for the Bears. He volunteered for the Naval Air Corps last January, shortly after he became 21, and was eligible to be called to serve at any time. But meanwhile, he said today, "Im going to play with the Bears as long as I can. "Ive always wanted to play ior the Bears, and Ive always thought the only reason Id stay out of professional football would be to enter the service. But if I can play for a while before I go into service, that will be fine." He will become the third quarterback on the Bears staff with Lujack probably the number one starter. The third signal caller was George Blanda, former Kentucky star. Another long-time Bear "T" formation expert, Sid Luckman, retired this year.
