Chicago Bears draft: Top picks in franchise history

Dick Butkus, LB, 1965 1st Round (#3 overall)

The Chicago Bears had an incredible draft in 1965. They had the third, fourth and sixth pick of the draft. They hit it big (very big) with their first two picks. Their third pick decided to go to the AFL and had a stellar career there. Had he decided to pick the Bears, it may have been the greatest draft in any sports history.

The Bears chose Butkus with their third pick. Butkus was born in Chicago, went to Chicago Vocational High School and the University of Illinois, so there was no way he was going to choose the AFL over his hometown team.

Butkus stayed home and became one of the most feared players in NFL history. He did whatever he could to separate the ball from the ball carrier. He had 22 interceptions and 25 fumble recoveries in his career.

When Butkus came to the Bears, he would be battling 14-year veteran and future Hall of Fame linebacker Bill George. Butkus was worried he might not win the battle, but he was the only one who thought that. “The minute the guy walked into camp,” George will tell you, “I started packing my gear. There was no way he wasn’t going to be great!”

A knee injury cut his great career short. He played in nine seasons and went to eight Pro Bowls, and he was named All-NFL six times. The Award for college’s best linebacker is named after him. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

Next: It should have been illegal to pick the Kansas Comet and Butkus