The Chicago Bears have a fascinating history which is mainly due to them being a founding team of the NFL. Today we will take a look at five of the best players to ever suit up in the Bears' navy and orange while donning the legendary wishbone “C.”
5. Sid Luckman
Luckman, who was traded to the Bears after Pittsburgh drafted him second overall, by many accounts is considered the best Bears quarterback of all time, In the 1940 NFL season, Lucmkan’s second professional season, the Bears went on to beat the Washington Redskins 73-0. In the title game, Luckman ended with 102 yards and a touchdown off of four completions. In his time as quarterback of the Bears they became one of the few NFL teams to hone in on the potential of the T-formation. In his 12 years with the Bears, he totaled 14,686 yards, 137 touchdowns, and 132 interceptions. Sid Luckman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. The Bears retired Luckman’s no. 42 in 1949.
4. Mike Singletary
The Bears have a storied history when it comes to the linebacker position and Mike Singletary is among the top. After being the 38th overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft Singletary made himself known by Bears fans and coaches everywhere. Against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1981 Singletary finished with 10 tackles and a forced fumble, this would be just one of his many memorable games. In 1985 Singletary ended the season with his first Defensive Player of the Year honor and his lone Super Bowl title after the Bears beat the Patriots 46-10. In his 11 years in the Windy City, Singletary amassed 1,488 tackles, 19 sacks, 12 fumble recoveries, and seven interceptions. Singletary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
3. Mike Ditka
You already know “Da Coach” had to have a spot on this list. Ditka was drafted fifth overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1961 NFL Draft. In his first season with the Bears, Ditka brought a whole new role to the tight end position. Ditka ended the 1961 season with 58 receptions for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns, which ultimately helped him bring home the Rookie of the Year award. Ditka went on to win the 1963 NFL Championship with the Bears (his only as a player). Years after leaving the Bears he would become the heir to the Chicago Bears' head coaching job. In Ditka’s six seasons as a Bears tight end, he finished with 4,503 yards and 34 touchdowns. Ditka was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. The Bears retired Ditka’s no. 89 in 2013.
2. Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus, the third overall pick in 1965, became one of the most feared defensive players in NFL history. Butkus was a Pro Bowler in eight of his nine NFL seasons along with winning two (1969, 1970) NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Butkus was the hardest-hitting linebacker in the NFL and as the great Deacon Jones once said “every time he hit you, he tried to put you in the cemetery, not the hospital.” Today, Butkus is viewed as the player you want your middle linebackers to emulate in their game. In his nine years with the Bears, Butkus finished with 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions, and 27 fumble recoveries. Butkus was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. The Bears retired Butkus’ no. 51 in 1994.
1. Walter Payton
There is only one word you can use to describe the legendary Walter Payton and that is his legendary nickname “Sweetness.” You can ask any Bears fan who the best player in franchise history is and they will all say “Walter Payton.” Payton ran for over 1,000 yards in 10 of his 13 NFL seasons and earned nine Pro Bowl selections capped off with one MVP award in 1979. At one point Payton was the all-time rushing leader in league history, but that was broken by former Cowboy and Cardinal Emmitt Smith. In Walter’s 13 seasons in Chicago, he accumulated 16,773 yards and 110 touchdowns. Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. The Bears retired Payton’s no. 34 in 1993.
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