Who are the top first-round picks in Bears’ history?
Two weeks ago, we had some fun-slash-dread listing the first-round draft picks who were the biggest busts in Bears’ history.
It’s time to give the storied franchise some props.
This week’s High Five digs back into the record books to bring you the greatest first-round picks in Bears’ history.
Another brutally tough time narrowing the list to five, but here’s a spoiler alert. No. 1 is a no-brainer and all five are in the NFL Hall of Fame.
5. Sid Luckman, QB, 1939
The greatest quarterback in Bears history, Luckman was selected second overall out of Columbia University.
A master of George Halas’ innovative T-formation, Luckman ushered the NFL into an era with a bigger emphasis on passing.
Luckman guided the Bears to an NFL title in his second season in 1940, capped by a 73-0 victory over Washington in the championship game.
Luckman led the team to four NFL titles while winning an MVP award and being named a first-team All-Pro five times. He threw for 14,686 yards while leading the league three times in passing yardage.
4. Gale Sayers, RB, 1965
What might have been if devastating knee injuries hadn’t limited Sayers to only seven seasons. The last two he played a total of only four games.
Selected fourth overall out of Kansas (one spot behind someone else you might’ve heard of), Sayers was electricity personified. His YouTube highlights are still awesome.
Sayers was rookie of the year and was named a first-team All-Pro five times. He also earned Comeback Player of the Year honors in 1969 after tearing an ACL and other knee ligaments the year before.
He rushed for nearly 5,000 yards despite the injuries and the lingering after effects. And his ability to return kicks would make Devin Hester’s jaw drop to the floor.
3. Clyde “Bulldog” Turner, C/LB, 1940
Selected seventh overall the year after Luckman, Turner was a difference-maker on both sides of the ball.
Despite playing at tiny Hardin-Simmons University in Texas, Turner emerged as the only lineman taken among the top 10 picks. He was worth it.
In addition to playing center during that epic 73-0 win over Washington, Turner also intercepted Sammy Baugh in the title game and returned it for a touchdown.
Turner was a four-time NFL champion, seven-time first-team All-Pro and even led the league in interceptions in 1942.
2. Dick Butkus, LB, 1965
Here’s that “other” first-round pick from the 1965 draft.
Perhaps the most terrifying player in NFL history, Butkus simply defines Bears football. Selected third overall out of Illinois, he arrived through a trade with the Steelers.
Thank goodness. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Butkus was a true Monster of the Midway. (A quick side note … my dad taught him math at Chicago Vocational).
Butkus twice was named NFL defensive player of the year. Five times he was a first-team All-Pro and he was selected to the all-decade team for the 1960s and 1970s.
Replacing another Hall of Famer in Bill George, Butkus carried on a legacy of great Bears middle linebackers that continued with Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher.
1. Walter Payton, RB, 1975
Sweetness.
Considered by many (myself included) to be the greatest football player of all time, Payton overcame years of weak offensive lines to break Jim Brown’s record for career rushing yardage.
Payton, selected fourth overall out of Jackson State, rushed for 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns while showing remarkable endurance, balance, power and shiftiness to get the job done.
His impact still resonates. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award annually recognizes a player’s excellence on and off the field. Payton also has an award named after him to honor the top offensive player in the FCS.
Even though Payton famously didn’t score in Super Bowl XX, the Bears don’t win it all that season if not for the legend who 10 times rushed for over 1,000 yards and remains fourth in franchise history with 4,538 receiving yards.