Chicago Bears: 15 greatest running backs of all time
By Ryan Heckman
(1955-64). Rick Casares. 7. player. 57. . RB/FB
What a culture shock Rick Casares was in for once he came to the Bears back in 1954. Casares was born and grew up in Tampa, Florida. He attended the University of Florida, staying close to home in Gainesville.
The Bears took him with the No. 18 overall pick of the second round in the 1954 NFL Draft. Going from sunny Tampa to the blistering winters of Chicago might be too much for some, but not Casares.
Casares was a tough kid. Believe it or not, during his teenage years, he became entrenched in the world of boxing. In fact, at the age of 15, Casares found himself a Golden Gloves Champion. He was offered a pro contract, but the one thing that could get in the way in that situation did get in the way — mom.
His mother refused to allow him, so he turned his attention to football. Needless to say, that worked out just fine for Casares.
Casares spent from 1955 to 1966 in the NFL, but most of those years were with the Bears. To this day, he is fourth on the Bears’ all-time rushing list with 5,657 yards to go along with 49 rushing touchdowns. Casares was a league champion in 1963, two-time First-Team All-Pro, two-time Second-Team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
1956 saw Casares finish with the best year of his career, leading the league in rushing and rushing touchdowns (1,126 yards, 12 touchdowns). Casares passed away in September 2013.