Chicago Bears: 15 greatest linebackers of all time

A two-way player in college, Doug Buffone would play center and linebacker for the University of Louisville. However, after being drafted by the Bears in the fourth round of the 1966 NFL Draft, Buffone would play linebacker for the Bears for 15 seasons.

In Buffone’s 15 seasons with the Bears, he would have 24 interceptions, which leads all Bears linebackers. However, his most two of his biggest interceptions include intercepting passes thrown by Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas.

When it came to getting after ball carriers, Buffone, for his time, was fiercer than anyone on the field. For seven straight seasons, Buffone would post 100 or more tackles. Buffone’s best season, in terms of posting tackles, would come in 1972, where he’d have 158 tackles.

For a linebacker, it’s sometimes uncommon to get after the quarterback as much as Buffone did. However, in just his third season, Buffone would sack the quarterback 18 times, setting a Bears franchise record that still stands to this day.

Beginning in 1972, Buffone would also serve as the Bears’ defensive captain for eight seasons until his retirement in 1980. If it’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that Buffone earned the right to be a team captain for the Bears, considering he played in nearly 200 career games during his time in Chicago.

While his on-field play was what defined him, one fact that often goes unnoticed about Buffone is that he was the last active player to have played for Bears founder George Halas when he retired from football in 1980.