Bears Blitz

Come to Think of It: Top Ten Chicago Bears Players of All-Time

Published by Bob Warja on November 21, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Bears have a long and storied tradition, steeped in great players, mostly on the defensive side of the ball, though we have perhaps the best running back of all-time.

In fact, the Bears have retired the most uniform numbers of any NFL team.

Meanwhile, I guarantee you that a Chicago sports fan has a more difficult time limiting the best Bears to only 10 than in any other sport. Cubs, Sox, and Bulls are much easier to come up with. The Blackhawks would be a struggle too, but not as challenging as picking the top Bears.

I am sure to have left someone off the list who you, the Bears fan, feels is more worthy than someone I did include. Such is life and debate is what makes this site so great.

Heck, I left 13 HOF’ers off of my list!

So have at it, Bears fans, feel free to tell me where you disagree. But remember, it’s only my opinion. And opinions are like baring your soul to the world: everyone may not like what they see.

So, in no particular order…

Sid Luckman

During his 12 seasons with the Bears he led them to four NFL championships. Luckman was the first modern T-formation quarterback and is considered the greatest long range passer of his time. He was the league’s MVP in 1943.

It’s pretty sad that he is the only great QB in Bears history.

Walter Payton

Wow, what can you say about “Sweetness” that hasn’t already been said or written?

Walter held the league’s record for most career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, and many other categories when he retired. In addition to being perhaps the greatest running back, he was simply one of the greatest football players of all-time.

He was extremely strong and durable, which made it even tougher to swallow when a rare liver disease took his life at such a young age.

Dan Hampton

“Danimal” played at a Hall of Fame caliber for 12 seasons, despite having to endure 10 knee surgeries.

During Hampton’s tenure with the Bears (1979-90), the Bears defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL in allowing the fewest rushing yards, the fewest rushing touchdowns, the fewest total yards, the fewest points, and inflicted the most sacks.

Dick Butkus

Butkus was simply one of the meanest, fiercest, toughest competitors to ever play the game of football. He was arguably the greatest linebacker in NFL history.

Butkus recovered 25 fumbles in his career, an NFL record at the time of his retirement. He regularly led the Bears in tackles, interceptions, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries throughout his career.

Gale Sayers

“The Kansas Comet” averaged five yards per carry for his career. One of the most spectacular and elusive runners in football history, knee injuries shortened his great career.

A prolific kick and punt returner, Sayers still holds the NFL’s highest career kickoff return average (30.56) and is tied for most career touchdown returns.

Mike Ditka

“Iron Mike” Ditka may be better known as “Da Coach” of the Super Bowl Bears team of 1985, but he was a Hall of Fame tight end well before that.

Although he was a fierce blocker, Ditka transformed the tight end position to an effective offensive weapon as he appeared in the Pro Bowl every season with the Bears. Ditka was the first tight end elected to the HOF.

Did you know that Ditka’s last name was originally Dyczko?

Bronko Nagurski

Nagurski played a long time ago, back in the leather helmet days, when players often played on both sides of the ball. He was also the biggest running back of his time at 6’2” and 235 lbs.

A standout defensive lineman as well, he is the only player in history to be elected to the Pro Bowl at three different non-kicking positions. He was one of the charter members of the Hall of Fame.

Nagurski was also a professional wrestler during his football career. Did you know that his given first name was Bronislau?

Bulldog Turner

Clyde “Bulldog” Turner was a prolific center and linebacker who played on four championship teams.

While it’s hard to rate players from different eras, Nagurski was an eight time All Pro selection, is a member of the HOF, and the Bears retired his number. That’s good enough for me.

Red Grange

Another charter member of the HOF, “The Galloping Ghost” was not only a great football player, he started his own league following a dispute with the Bears following his first season. The league lasted only one season and Grange returned to the Bears the next season.

In 2008, he was named the greatest college football player of all time by ESPN .

Speaking of the four letter, the following is a great quote from a story told by the obnoxious Chris Berman:

“I was interviewing George Halas and I asked him who is the greatest running back you ever saw. And he said, ‘That would be Red Grange.’ And I asked him if Grange was playing today, how many yards do you think he’d gain. And he said, ‘About 750, maybe 800 yards.’ And I said, ‘Well, 800 yards is just okay.’ He sat up in his chair and he said, ‘Son, you must remember one thing. Red Grange is 75 years old.”

Doug Atkins

At 6’8”, Atkins was one of the most feared defensive players ever, being enshrined in the Hall of Fame and as the leader of a devastating Bears defensive unit.

Atkins played 17 seasons in the NFL despite a variety of injuries, and was one of the meanest players ever. He was a starter in the Pro Bowl in eight of his last nine years with the team.

Honorable mention:

Mike Singletary

George Blanda

Dan Fortmann

Joe Stydahar

Bill George

George Trafton

George Musso

George McAfee

George Connor

Link Lyman

Bill Hewitt