 After playing college football at Notre Dame, Nagurski was drafted by the NFL's San Francisco 49ers in the 1959 NFL Draft, in the 10th round, 114th overall.However, he chose to play in Canada.Starting his eight-year career in the 1959 CFL season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Nagurski would be a two-time all-star and played in six Grey Cup games, winning two championships.