Chicago Bears History: Remembering Jerry Azumah’s underrated career

Taking a look back at the career of Chicago Bears cornerback Jerry Azumah

Before Devin Hester donned the number 23 for the Chicago Bears, there was another fan favorite who had a solid career for the team. In fact, he played Hester’s original position and also returned kicks. Jerry Azumah played seven seasons in the NFL, all of them with the Chicago Bears. In his relatively short career, he was a pretty reliable corner in his prime and had good kick return skills. The Bears drafted Azumah in the fifth round of the 1999 draft, going 147th overall.

Jerry was a four-year starter for the University of New Hampshire as a running back. At the time of his graduation, he was actually the only player to have four straight years of a 1000 rushing yards in Division I-AA history.

In his senior season, he was unanimously voted the Walter Payton award winner, which recognizes the countries most outstanding offensive player. After the Bears drafted Jerry they decided to turn him into a defensive back.

Azumah won the prestigious Brian Piccolo award in his rookie campaign, which honors a player for their courage, loyalty, teamwork, and dedication to the team. His first two years with the Chicago Bears were development years. While he did playin 16 games his rookie year, he didn’t have much production due to a lack of overall playing time.

2000 was he started gaining a little more attention Jerry played in 14 total games and started five of them. He started to produce more with his first interception in the NFL, with another seven pass breakups.

His 2001 season was similar to his prior season, but a little bit better. Jerry started five games, set a career high in Tackles to that point, two sacks, another Interception, with five pass breakups. By 2002 he was the Bears number one corner playing across from R.W. McQuarters and was seen as a legit CB1 across the league.

After the Bears playoff run of 2001, the team quite a nosedive for a few years. While Azumah did start all 16 games for the first, and only, time in his career, the team took a step back going 4-12 with a very mediocre offense.

The 2003 season was Jerry’s best season, 82 Tackles, 4 picks, both of which were career highs, one sack, and two kick return Touchdowns. Unfortunately, the team once again was mediocre going 7-9 and missing the playoffs.

Azumah had another decent season in 2004, getting another four interceptions, with 51 tackles. Playing in 12 games, but only starting eight of them. Jerry quietly retired after the 2005 season. It’s a shame the Bears could only field one playoff caliber team in Azumah’s time in Chicago.