Well let's see here, numbers 30-34...I wonder who will be mentioned in this post...hmm....I feel like there is a number in this group that is going to be awfully important to the history of our team but I can't put my finger on it. It must be 33. Right? Nah, I'm just kidding, let's see who else makes the list aside from the greatest player ever to play the game.
31 - Joe Fortunato, LB (1955-66): The guy was a 5-time Pro-Bowler and a 3-time First Team All-Pro. His tackling stats weren't listed on PFR but he had 16 career picks and 22 fumble recoveries. He played beside both Bill George and Dick Butkus.
32 - Johnny Lujack, QB/DB (1949-52): Number 32 hasn't been kind to us, especially in recent history, as I'm sure I don't need to remind you. However, back in the late '40s and early '50s we had a very good 32. Lujack took over for the legendary Sid Luckman. In fact in his rookie year he didn't even play QB but had eight INTs as a DB! He was twice a Pro-Bowler and once a first team All-Pro. In fact, in 1950 (when he was a Pro-Bowler and All-Pro) he threw 21 INTS against only four TDs. However, he had 11 rushing TDs. In '49 he threw for a league-leading 2,658 yards and 23 TDs. Unfortunately for the Bears, his career was cut short by knee injuries. Futility at the QB position became an annual occurrence.
33 - Charles Tillman, CB (2003-Present): He is probably one of the few guys who will end up making this list and NOT have an All-Pro or Pro-Bowl appearance on his resume. That's not to say he isn't deserving though. For all the things we give crap for, mainly slipping, the man has been a consistent playmaker for us for the last eight seasons. He has 27 INTs, 23 FFs (A testament to his ability to poke the ball out) and four TDs. Who could forget when he robbed Randy Moss of a TD as a rookie?
34 - Walter Payton, RB (1975-87): Did this even need to be said? He retired as the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards. He had six straight 1,000 yard seasons, he broke the record for consecutive 100 yard games in '85 and he was the franchise leader in scoring until Kevin Butler broke it. Considered by many as the greatest football player ever, he was a nine time Pro-Bowler and a five time first team All-Pro. And in case you were wondering, he is still second all-time on the franchise's career scoring list. Wow!
The Rest of the Series: