Chicago Bears: 15 greatest linebackers of all time
By Usayd Koshul
57. Scouting Report. LB. 1958-59. Chuck Howley. player. Pick Analysis. 12
Coming in at No. 12 is Chuck Howley, who spent just two short years with the Bears. Drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 1958 NFL Draft, Howley would sustain a knee injury during training camp a year later.
However, in just two years with the Bears, Howley would start in just one game for the team, but he still proved that he was a force to be dealt with. During his rookie season in 1958, Howley would have an interception.
It’s clear that had he stayed healthy, Howley would’ve had a long and illustrious career with the Bears. Before being drafted, Howley was a three-sport athlete in high school playing football, basketball and baseball.
What exactly helped Howley get on the Bears radar? While at West Virginia University, Howley played as an interior offensive lineman. During his final year in college, Howley would take part in both the Senior Bowl and the East-West shrine game.
The result? Howley was named one of the Senior Bowl’s top performers and would be one of six players that would be selected in the first round.
As mentioned above, the knee injury Howley sustained in 1959 would eventually lead to him retiring. After being out of football in 1960, Howley would attempt to come back in 1961 after participating in an alumni game at his alma mater, West Virginia University.
However, the Bears would trade him to the Dallas Cowboys due to fact that Joe Fortunato, Larry Morris and Bill George would be the faces of the Bears linebacker corps that season.
After being traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a pair of 1963 NFL Draft picks, Howley would go on to be a six-time Pro Bowler, be a five-time All-Pro and win a Super Bowl. While some of his most notable accomplishments would come away from the Bears, Howley still provided some of the best play the Bears saw at the linebacker position during his short stay in Chicago.