My All Time Favorite Chicago Bears Players
Since the NFL’s inception, the Chicago Bears have been a vital part of the league’s fabric. One of the classic football franchises (one of the two original NFL teams still in existence), the Bears are known for their punishing brand of black and blue football. Referred to as “The Monsters of the Midway”, the Bears have been one of the elite franchises in the history of the NFL. The team has had some of the greatest players in football history wear the Dark Navy, Orange and White. When you think of great Chicago Bears, you generally think of defense, especially punishing linebackers. Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Brian Urlacher are all considered some of the best linebackers in NFL history.
While many consider the best players to play for the Bears to be defenders, one of the greatest offensive weapons played for the Bears. The running back position for the Bears is one of the most prestigious in the entire NFL. That’s what happens when you have players like Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, and Red Grange. So whether you like backs, centers, QBs, or receivers, there’s a great Bears player at that position, to be sure.
The Bears have won nine championships in its illustrious history, which includes one Super Bowl berth. From that special 1985 team, you’ll find many of the defensive stars on this list. They are considered one of the greatest defenses of all time, so you would expect them to be considered some of the best Bears players ever.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Sid Luckman
1948 Leaf #1 Rookie Card
During his 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears, Luckman led the Bears to four NFL Championships. The man is the only Chicago Bear quarterback in the Hall of Fame, making him the greatest quarterback in Bears history. Not only was Luckman the first modern T-Formation quarterback, but he also was regarded as the best deep passer of his time. Luckman’s best season as a Chicago Bear came in 1943 when he threw for 28 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. He also had a quarterback rating of 107.5 that year; all were career highs. It’s evident that the Bears have not had a solid winning quarterback since Luckman, with some exceptions, including Jim McMahon.
Jim McMahon
1983 Topps #33 Rookie Card
Jay Cutler
2006 Donruss Gridiron #162 Rookie Card
Red Grange
- 1955 Topps #27 Rookie Card
The Galloping Ghost not only played halfback for the Bears, but helped legitimize the NFL. He also had a short stint in baseball with the New York Yankees.
After playing college football at Illinois, Grange is considered the greatest college football player of all-time. Grange brought in fans on a tour to play teams on the road, like an exhibit.
Fans loved Grange and wanted to see him play, this would lead to the interest from the NFL. Grange won back to back NFL Championships with the Bears in 1932-33, and was a key player on both those teams.
RUNNING BACKS
Walter Payton
1976 Topps #142 Rookie Card
The late great Walter Payton, also known as “Sweetness”, is undoubtedly the greatest Chicago Bear of all-time. Payton, in my opinion, is the greatest running back in NFL history. He tore up defenses like it was easy; juking defenders and making them miss was his specialty. He could also run over you, if he had to. Payton was drafted in 1975, as the fourth overall pick. Although he didn’t have a successful rookie season, he broke out in 1976 when he was selected as MVP of the Pro-Bowl. On November 20, 1977 Payton broke the single game rushing record against the Minnesota Vikings when he rushed for 275 yards. This record would later be broken. Payton also held the all-time rushing record, before Emmitt Smith broke it a couple of decades later. The way Payton ran was incredible. He was just a pure offensive force, that struck fear into defenders’ eyes. Payton helped lead the Bears to a Super Bowl win in 1985, although sadly enough, he did not score in the game. Payton passed away on November 1, 1999. His legacy will always be remembered by the NFL and the Chicago Bears.
Gale Sayers
1966 Topps #38 Rookie Card
Matt Forte
2008 Topps Chrome #TC191 Rookie Card
Bronko Nagurski
1935 National Chicle #34 Rookie Card
WIDE RECEIVERS
Harlon Hill
1955 Bowman #33 Rookie Card
Johnny Morris
Topps #11 Rookie Card
Ken Kavenaugh
1948 Leaf #23 Rookie Card
TIGHT ENDS
Mike Ditka
1962 Topps #17 Rookie Card
Emery Moorehead
1978 Topps #228 Rookie Card
OFFENSIVE LINEMENT
OT – Ed Healey (1922-1927)
OG – Danny Fortmann (1936-1943)
Jay Hilgenberg
1986 Topps #17 Rookie Card
Stan Jones
1956 Topps #71 Rookie Card
Joe Stydahar
1952 Bowman #99 Rookie Card
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Richard Dent
1985 Topps #24 Rookie Card
DT – George Musso (1933-1944)
Dan Hampton
1981 Topps #316 Rookie Card
Doug Atkins
1954 Bowman #4 Rookie Card
Atkins was one of the best defensive ends in NFL history. He revolutionized the position and made it an important part of the defense. Atkins had incredible size for his position during his playing years. At 6′8″, he forced quarterbacks to alter their throws over or around him, as he would bat a lot of them away. Atkins became a Pro-Bowl starter in eight of his last nine years as a Bear, before being traded to the Saints. Atkins has paved the way for a rich amount of dominant defensive ends in the NFL.
Julius Peppers
2002 Bowman Chrome #135 Rookie Card
LINEBACKERS
Dick Butkus
1966 Philadelphia #31 Rookie Card
Butkus is considered the best linebacker of his generation, and one of the best of all-time. The Bears drafted Butkus in 1965, and he lead the team in tackles, interceptions, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries that season. Butkus had a tenacious attitude for the game, and took it out on opposing players. Being a big middle linebacker, he struck fear in the offenses and showed no mercy on anyone. He was selected to eight Pro-Bowls in his career. He was named the 70th Greatest Athlete of the 20th century, as well as the ninth best player in NFL history by The Sporting News. Butkus’ relationship with Halas caused him to retire early, because of a dispute that occurred when Butkus played on a torn knee when he shouldn’t have. Still, Butkus is considered one of the best ever to play the game.
Mike Singletary
1983 Topps #38 Rookie Card
Singletary led one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. Dubbed “Samurai” Mike for his focus and intensity, Singletary was a force for opposing offenses week in and week out. The Bears drafted Singletary in the second round of the 1981 draft, and he started in the seventh game of the season. He went on to start in 172 games in his 12 year career, all with the Bears. Leading the Bears in the remarkable 1985 season, Singletary finished with 109 tackles, three sacks, and an interception. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award that season, with a Bears team that finished number one overall in defense. Singletary was also a 10 time Pro-Bowl player.
Bill George
1956 Topps #47 Rookie Card
George was a fierce linebacker for the Bears in the 1950’s. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974. George is considered one of the first true middle linebackers in the game. He also “accidentally” created the 4-3 defense, by his tendency to hit the center. He then dropped back, creating a four man front. George was elected to eight straight Pro-Bowls from 1955 to 1962. George led a fierce 1963 Bears defense that won the NFL Championship, and is considered by a lot to be the “meanest football player.”
Brian Urlacher
2000 Bowman Chrome #178 Rookie Card
Lance Briggs
2003 Bowman #120 Rookie Card
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Donnell Wolford
1989 Score #247 Rookie Card
Roosevelt Taylor
1964 Philadelphia #25 Rookie Card
Mark Carrier
1990 Pro Set #647 Rookie Card
Gary Fencik
1978 Topps #497 Rookie Card
Richie Petitbon
1962 Topps #23 Rookie Card
Dave Duerson
1986 Topps #27 Rookie Card
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Kevin Butler
1986 Topps #18 Rookie Card
P – George Gulyanics (1947-1952)
PR – George McAfee
1948 Leaf #19 Rookie Card
KR – Gale Sayers
1966 Topps #38 Rookie Card
HEAD COACHES
George Halas
1952 Bowman #48 Rookie Card
George Halas did everything for the Chicago Bears as a player and a coach. Halas brought a football team to Decatur in 1920 and called them the Staleys. Halas not only played, but he coached, did ticket sales and ran the business of the team. Halas had a shining moment when he striped Jim Thrope and returned the ball 98 yards for a touchdown, a record that would stand until 1972. Halas also signed Red Grange to the Bears, giving the league more popularity. Halas is considered a man who made the NFL exist and succeed. Halas also created a version of the T-Formation. Halas career is marked by with 63 years of ownership, 40 as a coach, 324 wins, eight NFL Championships, and being a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.
NICKNAME
- Named Bears as a companion to baseball’s Cubs, whom they shared Wrigley Field with at the time.
HEAD COACHES
- George Halas (1920-1929)
- Ralph Jones (1930-1932)
- George Halas (1933-1942)
- Hunk Anderson/Luke Johnsos (1942-1945)
- George Halas (1946-1955)
- Paddy Driscoll (1956-1957)
- George Halas (1958-1967)
- Jim Dooley (1968-1971)
- Abe Gibron (1972-1974)
- Jack Pardee (1975-1977)
- Neill Armstrong (1978-1981)
- Mike Ditka (1982-1992)
- Dave Wannstedt (1993-1998)
- Dick Jauron (1999-2003)
- Lovie Smith (2004-2012)
- Marc Trestman (2013-2014)
- John Fox (2015-2017)
- Matt Nagy (2018-Present)
SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS
- Super Bowl XX (1985) – Chicago Bears defeat New England Patriots 46-10
NFL CHAMPIONS (PRE-1966)
- 1921
- 1932
- 1933
- 1940
- 1941
- 1943
- 1946
- 1963
SUPER BOWL APPEARANCES
- Super Bowl XX (1985) – Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots
- Super Bowl XLI (2006) – Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts
NFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES (PRE-1966)
- 1933, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1956, 1963
NFL/NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
- 1984, 1985, 1988, 2006, 2010
DIVISION CHAMPIONS
- 1921, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1956, 1963, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
- 1933, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1950, 1956, 1963, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010
PLAYOFF RECORD
- 17-18 .486
HALL OF FAME PLAYERS
- Doug Atkins WR (1955-1966)
- Dick Butkus LB (1965-1973)
- George Blanda QB/PK (1949-1958)
- Guy Chambers E (1920-1921)
- George Connor T (1948-1955)
- Jimmy Conzelman RB (1920)
- Richard Dent DE (1983-1993, 1995)
- Mike Ditka TE (1961-1966)
- Paddy Driscoll RB (1920, 1926-1929)
- Jim Finks GM (1974-1983)
- Danny Fortmann G (1936-1943)
- Bill George G/LB (1952-1965)
- Red Grange RB (1925, 1929-1934)
- Dan Hampton DE (1979-1990)
- Ed Healey T (1922-1927)
- Bill Hewitt E (1932-1936)
- Stan Jones T (1954-1965)
- Walt Kiesling G (1934)
- Bobby Layne QB (1948)
- Sid Luckman QB (1939-1950)
- Link Lyman T (1926-1928, 1930-1931,1933-1934)
- George McAfee RB (1940-1941, 1945-1950)
- George Musso G (1933-1944)
- Bronko Nagurski FB (1930-1937, 1943)
- Allan Page DT (1978-1981)
- Walter Payton RB (1975-1987)
- Gale Sayers RB (1965-1971)
- Mike Singletary LB (1981-1992)
- George Trafton C (1920-1932)
- Bulldog Turner C (1940-1952)
HALL OF FAME COACHES
- George Halas Coach (1920-1929, 1933-1942, 1946-1955, 1958-1967)
Owner (1920-1983) - Jim Finks GM (1974-1983)
RETIRED NUMBERS
- 3 Bronko Nagurski FB (1930-1937, 1943)
- 5 George McAfee RB (1940-1941, 1945-1950)
- 7 George Halas End (1920-1929)
- 28 Willie Galimore RB (1957-1963)
- 34 Walter Payton RB (1975-1987)
- 40 Gale Sayers RB (1965-1971)
- 41 Brian Piccolo RB (1966-1969)
- 42 Sid Luckman QB (1939-1950)
- 51 Dick Butkus LB (1965-1973)
- 56 Bill Hewitt End (1932-1936)
- 61 Bill George G/LB (1952-1965)
- 66 Bulldog Turner C (1940-1952)
- 77 Red Grange RB (1925, 1929-1934)
- 89 Mike Ditka (1961-1972)
PRO BOWL MVP
- 1953 Doug Atkins WR
- 1967 Gayle Sayers RB
- 1970 Gayle Syaers RB
- 1978 Walter Payton RB
SUPER BOWL MVP
- Super Bowl XX – Richard Dent DE (1985)