Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff: 28 Days with Willie Galimore

Yesterday we witnessed the Chicago Bears hold on in the fourth quarter for a 23-17 victory in their first preseason game, but today marks just 28 days until the team's first game of the regular season. To celebrate the first Sunday of the season inching closer and closer, today's installment of Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff brings us to the life and career of the best player in franchise history to don the number 28, runningback Willie Galimore.

Willie Galimore's journey from Florida to the Chicago Bears

A native of St. Augustine, Florida, Willie Galimore's athletic career began at Excelsior High School, where he participated on his school's football and basketball teams. From all accounts, including those of his teammates as a high schooler, Galimore was a ferocious yet swift runner who would go down as perhaps the best running back in the history of his school district.

However, it was not Galimore's gridiron dominance that caught the eye of college scouts, but rather his play on the basketball court. Galimore was a star for the Excelsior team during the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament, and despite his team losing before the championship game, Florida A&M scouts recognized the two-sport athlete as an intriguing addition to their basketball squad.

Upon joining the HBCU program, which is today the largest school of its type, Galimore joined the school's football team as a running back and quickly turned his attention solely to the gridiron. In four years at Florida A&M, Galimore, who picked up the nickname "Galloping Gal", was named to the All-Conference team every season.

During his collegiate career, he helped the team post a 33-4-1 combined record, win four conference champions, and even claim a Black National Championship title. His best single-game total came as a senior, where he logged 295 yards and four touchdowns versus Tennessee State. He totaled over 3,500 rushing yards across four years. He was also the school's first 1,000-year rusher and finished as the school's all-time leading rusher.