It’s probably fair to say the current campaign isn’t going to go down as one to tell the grandkids about given the lack of consistency that has been on show from the Chicago Bears. Thankfully, rather than harp on about the existing struggles we’ve found something else to talk about in the shape of four legendary Bears that have been selected to join a list of talented line backers in an ‘elite of the elite’ discussion.
The NFL is in it’s centennial year and, as part of that celebration, there will be an announcement of an all-time team. Currently, it is the line backers under careful consideration – with six time NFL Super Bowl winning coach Bill Belichick and former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth overseeing the picks – and there are 25 who need to be narrowed down to just 12. Hoping to make that dozen are four former Bears and here we look at their case for inclusion.
NUMBER 4 – Bill George
The late, great Bill George is widely regarded as one of the fiercest players ever to pull on the Bears jersey and he’s a big reason that a middle line backer is a role in football today. The Wake Forest graduate was picked by the Bears in round two of the 1951 draft and over the next 13 years he starred in Chicago featuring in eight Pro-Bowls – all back to back.
Despite spending the final year of his career in Los Angeles with the Rams, the Bears retired his number 61 such was his impact on the franchise.
NUMBER 3 – Mike Singletary
Singletary might have bounced around the managerial circuit having coached five different sides but to Bears fans he’ll always be known for the 12 years of service he gave the team as an integral part of the ‘Monsters of the Midway’s second coming.
All in all, 10 Pro-Bowl appearances and eight first team all-pro honours alongside his two-defensive player of the year awards and a Super Bowl win paint a pretty good picture of success. Throw into the mix his Bart Starr award and you’ve got yourself evidence of a good player and a great man.
NUMBER 2 – Brian Urlacher
When Urlacher came out of New Mexico his reputation was already pretty impressive but just one year into his 13 year stay with the Bears and his stock was through the roof. His inaugural year in the NFL saw him named defensive rookie of the year and five years later he scooped the same award but this time he was no longer a rookie. With eight Pro-Bowl call ups under his belt throughout the 2000s he may well be one of the better positioned former Bears to make the final line up.
NUMBER 1 – Dick Butkus
When Butkus was drafted to the Bears as the number three pick he was coming in with a huge weight of expectation – he had to fill the void left by a certain Mr George. Not everyone could handle that pressure; Butkus did. He thrived on it and performed at such a level that he too became a hero. You know you have a player on your hands when they leave under a cloud, which is somewhat of an understatement regarding Butkus, and is still loved by the Bears faithful.
In terms of making it to the all-time team, Butkus has already earned a place in the sixties and seventies team, as well being named in the 75th anniversary side. What’s to stop him this time round?
There you have it, four Bears who brought us fans so many moments of joy and success over the years. We can’t guarantee they’ll make the final cut but each of them deserve nothing but the upmost respect and, if it was up to us, they’d be four pillars in the all-time team.