Chicago Bears Draft History: The 1983 Draft
The Bears began getting back to drafting again after not having any picks in rounds five, six and seven. In the eighth round, they had two picks and used them to take two more players that would help propel them towards an eventual Super Bowl victory. Their first pick in that round, at number 203, was Richard Dent, a defensive end out of Tennessee State. With their second pick in the eighth round, at number 219, they took guard Mark Bortz from the University of Iowa.
Dent was a speedster who was able to get to the quarterback in a flash. He recorded a whopping 34.5 sacks in the 1984 and 1985 seasons combined and set a team record in 1985 with 17.5 sacks. That made him a very important part of the Bears run to the Super Bowl in 1985.
For Dent, his play in the Super Bowl was the stuff of legends. He was named the game’s MVP for his performance as he had a sack and a half, caused two fumbles and knocked down a pass. It’s very rare that a defensive player will win Super Bowl MVP honors. Dent was one of those rare players.
His career in Chicago came to an end, the first time, in 1993. He went on to play for the San Francisco 49ers where he won another Super Bowl. Dent came back to the Bears but then went to the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately for Dent, he spent the better part of the end of his career injured and a situational pass rusher.
In 2011, Dent was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Bortz was an integral part of the Bears offensive line and helped keep the rushing game going and the quarterbacks protected from 1983 to 1994. He went to two Pro Bowls and was part of that great 1985 team. He did his work quietly and effectively helping to anchor one of the greatest offensive lines in Bears’ history.