Chicago Bears

The Bears won the NFL championship in 1963, then went through a rough stretch from 1966 to 1976, bottoming out at 1-13 in 1969. It’s a shame, really – wasting the short careers of #1 draft picks Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus. 

I have all these cards except for Sayers and Butkus. The only ones I’ve had since the 1960s are Joe Fortunato and Bobby Joe Green, and their condition is pretty bad.

Rudy Bukich was the Rams’ #2 pick way back in 1953. He made stops along the way in Washington, Chicago and Pittsburgh before returning to the Bears in 1962. A backup QB for most of his career, he was the Steelers’ regular QB in 1961 and started for the Bears in ’65 and ’66. After 2 seasons backing up Jack Concannon, he retired after the 1968 season. 

 

Larry Rakestraw was drafted by the Bears in 1964, but did not play until 1966 (1 game). He also played in 5 and 7 games over the next 2 seasons, making 2 starts each year. This is a RetroCards card, not an original. 

 

Gale Sayers was one of two 1st-round picks for the Bears in 1965. He was named Rookie of the Year (the 3rd Bears’ ROY in the past 5 seasons). He was their starting halfback every season from 1965-69, but missed 5 games in 1968 with injuries. He had two 1000-yard seasons (’66, ’69), leading the NFL in both seasons. Sayers was named first-team All-Pro in each of his first 5 seasons, also making 4 Pro Bowls. Injuries limited him to 2 games each in ’70 and ’71, forcing him to retire. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977. 

 

Ronnie Bull – The Bears’ 1st-round pick in 1962, Bull was named Rookie of the Year (the 2nd consecutive Bear to do so). He was the Bears’ starting halfback for his first 3 seasons, then moved to fullback in 1965 with the arrival of Sayers. Bull was the starting fullback for 4 seasons, then shared the load with others from 1969-70. In his final season (1971) he started 9 games for the Eagles. 

 

Johnny Morris was drafted by the Bears in 1958, and was their starting flanker every season from 1961-67, though missing 12 games in 1966. He led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs in 1964, and was named first-team ALl-Pro that season. 

 

Mike Ditka was the Bears’ #1 pick in 1961, and was named Rookie of the Year. He started every game at tight end during his 6 seasons with the Bears, making 5 Pro Bowls along with 2 first-team All-Pro selections in that time. 

 

After disagreements with owner/coach George Halas, he was traded to the Eagles, where he started just under half the games for 2 seasons. He joined the Cowboys in 1969, but rode the bench for 3 seasons until starting every game in his last year (1972). His final game was Super Bowl VII. Ditka was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. 

 

Mike Pyle – A 7th-round pick in 1961, Pyle was the Bears’ starting center for his entire 9-year career. He made the Pro Bowl in 1963. 

 

Doug Atkins was the Browns’ #1 pick in 1953. After 2 seasons, he joined the Bears in 1955 and was their starting right defensive end every season from 1957-1966. He made the Pro Bowl 8 times in 9 seasons, and was first-team All-Pro in 1963. He was also the Saints’ starting right end from 1967-69, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982. 

 

Dick Butkus was one of two 1st-round picks for the Bears in 1965. He was the Bears’ starting middle linebacker for his entire 9-year career, including his injury-shortened final seas n (1973). He made the Pro Bowl every season but his last, and was named first-team All-Pro 5 times. Butkus was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1979. 

 

Joe Fortunato – Drafted by the Bears in 1952, Fortunato played is entire 12-year career as a starting outside linebacker for the Bears (9 on the left side, and 3 on the right). He made the Pro Bowl in 1958 and every year from 1962-65. He was also first-team All-Pro every season from 1963-65. (Seems like a late-bloomer.) 

 

Roger LeClerc was drafted by the Bears in 1959. He did not play that season, but was a backup linebacker in 1960. He was the Bears’ kicker from 1961-66, and their starting middle linebacker during the 1964 season. He finished his career in 1967 as the Broncos’ kicker. 

 

Bobby Joe Green was drafted by the 49ers in 1959. He punted for the Steelers from 1960-61, and the Bears from 1962-73. He led the NFL in punting yards in ’60 and ’66. 

 

 

A lot of old-timers in this group:  Fortunato since 1952, Bukich and Atkins since 1953, Morris since 1958.

 

Hall of Famers – 4 

 

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