Chicago Bears draft: Top picks in franchise history

Richard Dent, DE, 1983 8th Round (#203 overall)

There are not too many players who can say they made it to the Hall of Fame and drafted in the 200’s. No one in this day can say they are a Hall of Famer who was drafted in the eighth round since there are only seven rounds now.

Here is a gem the Chicago Bears’ scouting team hit on late. In college, he was a 230 pounder who many scouts felt had talent but was too skinny to play pro ball.

In their talks with Dent and their investigation, the Bears discovered that Dent had dental problems that prevented him from eating properly. That was the reason he could not gain weight. They corrected the problem, he gained thirty pounds and became a Hall of Famer.

Dent could rush the quarterback with either speed or strength. Teams had trouble trying to shut him down.

Dent’s biggest game was played on the NFL’s biggest stage. He was named Super Bowl XX MVP. He had 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. In the 1985 playoffs, he had six sacks in three games.

Dent came in a time when sacks were first being recognized. Sacks were not tracked as a stat until 1982. Dent’s play added to the attention sacks received.

Dent played in fifteen seasons, twelve of them with the Bears. He had a franchise-record 124.5 sacks and was an integral part of what is still considered the greatest defense in NFL history. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

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