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Confession:
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As an under wraps Bears fan, two best: Favourites:
4
Mike Singletary
USA TODAY Sports
Teams: Chicago Bears (1981-1992)
Accolades: Super Bowl 20 champion, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, 10-time Pro Bowler, 7-time First-Team All-Pro
The intensity of Singletary’s signature stare only underscored how he earned the apt nickname “Samurai Mike.” Another iconic Bears linebacker, Singletary has one of the most productive resumes for any NFL defender ever. Armed with an uncanny ability to read the play and jump the snap count, Singletary patrolled the line of scrimmage like a tenacious sentry, hell-bent on making any offensive player who entered his territory pay. Singletary was the best defensive player on arguably the best defense the NFL has ever seen in 1985, and he was the unquestioned face of the last true Bears golden era anyone can still remember.
1
Dick Butkus
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Teams: Chicago Bears (1975-1983)
Accolades: 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, 8-time Pro Bowler, 5-time First-Team All-Pro
If not for knee injuries, there would be no debate about the best linebacker ever to play in the NFL. Even then, Butkus’ peak as a man in the middle for the league’s charter franchise is hard to argue with. Butkus’ trademark mean disposition made him akin to a malevolent demon from hell who reveled in the pain and fear of offensive skill players. That’s not even really hyperbole. A one-man wrecking crew, Butkus established the Bears’ now-rich tradition at linebacker, making it more of an honor to play tough-nosed, blue-collar defense for Chicago than any of those “flashy” positions like, I don’t know, quarterback.
It is no coincidence that:
1. The Butkus Award is given to the nation’s finest linebackers in high school, college, and the NFL every season
2. Ray Lewis counted Butkus as one of his main inspirations toward becoming an all-time linebacker himself.
Butkus’ thick, bushy eyebrows, mustache, and grimace make him one of the faces of the most important organizations in NFL history. He was the best linebacker ever.