Joique Bell’s success with the Detroit Lions is well chronicled. But with football season upon us, you might be surprised to know that Wayne State alumni have strong ties to two of the sport’s most iconic teams.

Phil Emery, an offensive guard, and Brian VanGorder, a linebacker, were roommates at Wayne State for more than three years and co-captains of the Tartars in the late 1970s.

Today, Emery is general manager of the Chicago Bears and VanGorder is defensive coordinator at the University of Notre Dame.

After graduating, Emery served as a graduate assistant and VanGorder later returned as Wayne State’s head coach. VanGorder joined the WSU Hall of Fame in 2013, and Emery visited with Wayne State coaches and attended a Warrior football game last year when the Bears were in town to play the Lions.

“Their success reflects the type of kids who are students-athletes here,” said Athletic Director Rob Fournier. “Wayne State athletes don’t expect things; they earn them, and Phil and Brian got to where they’re at the old-fashioned way — they worked at it."

Photos (courtesy of the Walter P. Reuther Library): Phil Emery (above) and Brian VanGorder (below)