Taking over for Chicago Bears great Walter Payton is no easy task. But someone had to step up and run the ball for the Windy City. Running Back Neal Anderson was ready to answer the call.
In this article we'll take a look at the player who replaced Payton in Chicago.
Remembering Chicago Bears running back Neal Anderson
Anderson was a standout athlete at Graceville High School in Florida. He continued his football story with the Florida Gators, where his star grew. In 1985, he earned the role of team captain and was named First-team All-SEC. When his college career was all said and done, the young and hungry running back was arguably the best Gator running back in program history before being surpassed by Emmitt Smith.
Anderson was drafted in the first round by the Bears as the eventual heir apparent to Payton. He was drafted just one year after the 1985 Bears were crowned Super Bowl champions.
Anderson started his career as a backup to Payton. The Bears legend showed the rookie the ropes. Anderson saw limited reps in his first two seasons, but he managed to flash his potential when called upon.
When Payton retired in 1987, Anderson was handed the keys to the offense as the starting running back. In the following seasons, Anderson didn't disappoint as his replacement.
It's safe to say Anderson learned a lot from his mentor (he couldn't pass like Payton, though).
Turns out, Anderson was a perfect fit for head coach Mike Dikta's smashmouth offense. He thrived as the offense's bellcow and often ran the ball 250 times or more every season during his prime. Anderson rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons in a row.
With the help of a menacing defense, he carried the Bears to three playoff trips as a starter and two more under Payton's wing. In 1988, he carved up defenses for a Bears team that reached the NFC Championship Game, losing to the eventual champion San Francisco 49ers in the process.
Anderson's running prowess didn't go under the radar, earning four consecutive Pro Bowls (1988-1991) as one of the top running backs in the NFL.
After peaking in the late '80s, Anderson's production dwindled in the years that followed due to injuries sustained as the team's go-to back. The Bears also regressed from their heyday in 1985. By the time he retired, most of the 1985 Bears were retired or playing for a different team.
Even though Anderson hung up the cleats in 1993 without a ring, his impact in Chicago can't be understated. When Payton retired, he filled a huge void left by the all-time great. This article isn't comparing Anderson to Payton by any means. It's paying homage to a player who helped the Bears continue their dominance in the '80s after Payton left.
When the opportunity came, Anderson was ready to take over for Payton. His career might not have the same mystique to it, but Anderson still made the city and Payton proud.