Al Capone is probably the most famous nonfictional mafioso in the world. He’s unquestionably the most famous criminal out of Chicago (where he also sold used furniture). Of course, he’s also famous for being caught, though it took tax evasion to finally get him. 

So what happened to the Chicago mob once Capone was behind bars? 

The government would have loved for it to flail and die like the snake they were hoping that they’d cut the head off of. Unfortunately, that never seems to happen. Organized crime is a bit more like an earthworm, where it regenerates, or, if you’re really unlucky, you end up with two brand-new worms.

The Chicago mob’s new head had a name: Tony Accardo, or “Joey Batters.” He’d been Capone’s bodyguard, and once that job was taken over by steel bars, he decided to try his hand at being the body, not the guard. He was successful in taking power, which tends to happen when you’re the kind of guy whose nickname comes from smashing your adversary’s skulls with a baseball bat. That said, he was also applauded for his smarts.

While he was running the mob, he was obviously spending his free time as humans do. In part, copulating. Kicking off branches of the family tree that, depending on your views regarding nature versus nurture, might have his same terrifying combination of violence and intelligence. Two traits that, when combined, make for one hell of a football player. 

That certainly seems to be the case with Accardo’s offspring, considering that a couple of his great-grandsons are currently two of the best edge rushers in the National Football League: Joey and Nick Bosa.

Though I’ll admit it would have been even better if they’d ended up baseball stars.