The dog days of the offseason are finally behind us now that training camp is underway, just in time for our countdown of the Top 100 Chicago Bears of all time to really heat up. As we get closer to the season opener, we get closer to naming the #1 Chicago Bear of all time.
The next stop in our Top 100 Countdown is #38, Wilber Marshall. I have to admit that Wilber definitely gets ratcheted up several spots for his status as one of the biggest bad asses on the ferocious ’85 Bears defense. The Bears selected Marshall out of Florida with the 11th selection in the first round of the 1984 draft. Marshall had quite the reputation in college as one of the Gators’ best defenders of all time.
Marshall had to bide his time with the Bears, only starting one game as a rookie. Thanks to Al Harris and his contract dispute with the Bears in 1985, Marshall got his chance to shine. Marshall joined Mike Singletary and Otis Wilson to form one of the most dominant linebacking corps known to man.
While Marshall laid the lumber and had some tremendous hits in his Chicago Bears career, my most distinct memory of Marshall was the signature moment of the Bears run to the Super Bowl, the fumble recovery for a touchdown with the snow falling and the William Perry escort. My words can’t do it justice, just watch for yourself: