The Chicago Bears have had a multitude of great players play for them during their 100-year history. The next player featured in our series on the best players of the decade is linebacker Bill George. He was the Bears’ best player during the 1950s.
The Chicago Bears have been blessed with having so many great players in their long and storied history. The Bears are ranked first in terms of players in the Hall of Fame. They are a highly decorated franchise and they have the history to back themselves up.
We will now take a look at the best player of the 1950s, linebacker Bill George. What was his history? What did he do for the Bears to be named the player of the decade for the 1950s?
William J. George was born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania on October 27th, 1929. He played his high school football at Waynesburg Central. George played his college ball at Wake Forest University. He was Chicago’s second-round pick in the 1951 NFL draft.
Many people don’t know what George was responsible for that made him so famous. He was pretty much the first true middle linebacker in a defense. George started his career as what was known as a middle guard in a defensive alignment that consisted of five players. Imagine something very similar to a 5-2 alignment in today’s NFL.
The moment came when George was unable to get to passes that were being thrown over him because he was too low taking on the center because he had his hand on the ground. He decided to stand up and drop back thus getting into the passing lane and either intercepting or knocking down passes.
With that move, George not only created the middle linebacker position but also helped to create the 4-3 defense which the Bears ran right up until John Fox took over a few years back. Now they run more of a base 3-4 defense.
George’s play on the field earned him several honors. He was named to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro team eight different times. He earned a spot on the NFL’s 1950s All-Decade team and had his number 61 jersey retired by the Bears.
Some of the statistics that George put up during his time in the league included recovering 19 total fumbles and intercepting the ball 18 times. The Hall of Fame welcomed George in 1974. He was an integral part of the Bears 1963 NFL Championship team.
Unfortunately, George passed away in an automobile accident on September 30, 1982, in Rockford, Illinois. Although he was taken from this world early, George will always be remembered as one of the best Chicago Bears players to ever play the game.