While growing up, before college Joe worked at the steel mills before going to VMI then Mississippi state where he is in their ring of honor. During his time with the Bears organization in the offseason he owned a book and toy store as well was a rancher. Joe had a career, a 12-year career that accompanied what was the best trio of Linebackers in Bears history of Joe Fortunato, Bill George and Larry Morris. A group of which resulted in part of the Hall of Fames 1950s team for Bill and Joe then 1960s for Larry. The group won the last championship when playing at Wrigley Field in 1963.
Post Joe’s football career, and a stint as a coach for the Bears he became the Mayor of Natchez for 20 years. Like many others had business ventures and philanthropy work of Big Joe Real Estate, Big Oil Company, Big Joe Operating Company and The Joe Fortunato Celebrity Golf Classic a benefit to raise funds for Mississippi Education system.
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[[Chicago Tribune: 100 Best Players]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/08/10/ranking-the-100-best-bears-players-ever-no-27-joe-fortunato/)
[[NFL: Remembering the great Joe Fortunato]](https://www.nfl.com/news/chicago-bears-great-joe-fortunato-dies-at-87-0ap3000000874786)
[[National Football Foundation: NFF Chapter Awards]](https://footballfoundation.org/sports/general/roster/joe-and-catherine-fortunato/497)
[[The Natchez Democrat: Golf Classic]](https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2014/05/04/joe-fortunato-event-draws-largest-number-of-participants-in-5-years/)
While growing up, before college Joe worked at the steel mills before going to VMI then Mississippi state where he is in their ring of honor. During his time with the Bears organization in the offseason he owned a book and toy store as well was a rancher. Joe had a career, a 12-year career that accompanied what was the best trio of Linebackers in Bears history of Joe Fortunato, Bill George and Larry Morris. A group of which resulted in part of the Hall of Fames 1950s team for Bill and Joe then 1960s for Larry. The group won the last championship when playing at Wrigley Field in 1963.
Post Joe’s football career, and a stint as a coach for the Bears he became the Mayor of Natchez for 20 years. Like many others had business ventures and philanthropy work of Big Joe Real Estate, Big Oil Company, Big Joe Operating Company and The Joe Fortunato Celebrity Golf Classic a benefit to raise funds for Mississippi Education system.