Chicago Bears: Ranking the top ten Chicago Bears of the 2000s
By Jason Parini
10. Olin Kreutz, C (1998-2010)
Though he may not exactly lead the team in jersey sales, Olin Kreutz was one of the most consistent players of the 2000s in all of football, and it reflects on his resume. Kreutz was chosen for six straight Pro Bowls from 2001-2006, including a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2006 while leading the Bears to a Super Bowl appearance. He was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s along with C Kevin Mawae.
From 2001-2010, Kreutz started and played in all but one game with the Bears, including 128 straight from 2003-2010.
The 6’2″ center from Hawaii is quite vocal about the Bears on Twitter, often chiming in on the team’s news and opinions. He is still involved in the Chicagoland community and is currently coaching junior high football at north-suburban School of St. Mary, just a stone’s throw away from the Bears training facility and headquarters in Lake Forest.
Kreutz was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2017, though he hasn’t gotten the call to Canton — yet? Despite only nine centers being inducted to the Hall of Fame, Kreutz certainly has an argument to join the best of the best in Canton.