COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: 38 days

Each day leading up to Iowa State’s season opener against South Dakota State, Cyclone Fanatic will check another day off the calendar with a memorable statistic, player or game as part of our Countdown to Kickoff presented by Tailgate Clothing.

In the history of Iowa State football, only three players have earned consensus All-American honors. Obviously, Troy Davis is one, Mike Busch is another and the first is probably best known for his work off the football field.

Ed Bock became the Cyclones’ first consensus All-American in 1938 when he played all but 50 minutes of the season along the offensive and defensive lines. The Fort Dodge native was the co-captain of Iowa State’s 7-1-1 team in 1938 that is to this day considered one of the best in school history.

Bock was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970, becoming the first former Cyclone to earn the honor. But, as previously noted, Bock probably isn’t best known for his pursuits on the gridiron.

Following his football career, Bock was hired by Monsanto and eventually rose to take over as CEO of one the world’s largest chemical companies. Perhaps Monsanto’s greatest triumph during Bock’s time at the helm?

The invention of Astroturf.