Chicago Bears: Top 25 players in franchise history

12. RB Red Grange

On October 18th, 1924 “The Galloping Ghost” was born. Red Grange lined up at halfback for his Illinois Fighting Illini as they took on rival Michigan. Within the first 12 minutes of game action, Grange compiled 262 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns.

Yes, you’re reading that right — 262 yards, four touchdowns and all in the first 12 minutes.

While Grange only ended up playing in the NFL for a total of seven years, it was the impact he made on the game which catapulted the league into stardom. A day after playing his last college game, Grange decided to turn pro.

From there, George Halas brought him aboard the Bears and the rest is history. Grange stunned the football world when his manager negotiated a deal that would get him paid quite a bit of money to play for the Bears, and because of how incredible he was on the field, professional football games grew more and more popular.

Back in his day, pro football wasn’t doing so hot. It’s said by many that Grange was responsible for turning the sport around and making it what it has become today — a business.

Grange was one of the greatest college football players to ever step on the field, earning All-American status three times. He won a national championship, a Big Ten MVP and saw his jersey retired.

As a pro, it got even better. A two-time NFL champion and two-time First Team All-Pro, Grange also had his jersey retired by the Bears. He was fantastic on the field, but a legend in terms of making football what it is today.