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Chicago Bears: 30 greatest players in franchise history

By Conor Dorney

Walter Payton #34, Running Back for the Chicago Bears during his final game in the American Football Conference West game against the Los Angeles Raiders on 27 December 1987 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Bears won the game 6 - 3. Visions of Sport. (Photo by Mike Powell/Allsport/Getty Images)
Walter Payton #34, Running Back for the Chicago Bears during his final game in the American Football Conference West game against the Los Angeles Raiders on 27 December 1987 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Bears won the game 6 - 3. Visions of Sport. (Photo by Mike Powell/Allsport/Getty Images) /
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Steve McMichael, Chicago Bears
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

player. 57. . DT. 1981-93. Steve McMichael. 13

The Bears have had a number of dominant players in the trenches over the course of franchise history, and one of the best was Steve McMichael, aka “Mongo.” McMichael is yet another example of the wealth of talent the Bears had on defense during the 1980’s, and was one of their most consistent players for the entirety of his lengthy NFL career.

Mongo arrived in Chicago via free agency after spending his rookie year with the Patriots, and it’s safe to say that the Bears scored big. By his third season with the team, McMichael had become a key cog in Buddy Ryan’s defense and racked up seven or more sacks in seven straight seasons from 1983-89.

In addition to his toughness on the field, McMichael was also one of the most charismatic players on the Bears at the time, even later going on to become a professional wrestler following his days in the NFL.

Mongo was referred to by head coach Mike Ditka as “the toughest player he’s ever coached,” which is saying a lot when you look at some of the players that Ditka had the privilege of coaching, particularly during this time period.

One thing is for certain, is that McMichael brought a steady pass rush from the interior of the defensive line and was another key player for the Bears during their championship run in 1985.

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