Jules “Zuck” Carlson (November 4, 1904 – January 21, 1986) made his mark in football playing for Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State) on his way to a professional career.
Carlson grew up in The Dalles and might well have been the most talented lineman in the Oregon high school ranks up to that point. He was recruited to Corvallis by coach Paul Schissler and played center and guard from 1926-28. The Beavers were 16-6-1 in those seasons, including 7-1 in 1926.
He signed with the Bears in 1929 after receiving a contract for $100 per game plus food, and a one-way ticket to Chicago to sign the contract. Zuck joined another former Beaver, Gil Bergerson, and played under Coach George Halas into 1936. The Bears won two NFL titles, including the first ever championship game, a 23-21 victory over the New York Giants in 1933. Carlson opened running lanes for backs Red Grange and Bronco Nagurski. He also played in the first “College All-Star Game,” in which college players played the NFL champion. Voted one the top 100 Bears of All-Time, Carlson played in a total of 95 games, the most ever for any OAC graduate of that era.
Following his career, he remained in Chicago and worked as a pipefitter and taught industrial arts.
Jules Carlson was inducted into the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.