Bears’ David Montgomery is the Big 12 Male Sportsperson of the Year

When the Chicago Bears picked Iowa State’s David Montgomery in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, it seemed obvious that they were getting a good fit for the offensive scheme. His most frequent player comparison was Kareem Hunt, and Hunt was a Pro Bowler as a rookie in a similar system with the Chiefs in 2017. Montgomery, a two time All Big 12 selection, had nearly three thousand rushing yards in his three year collegiate career with 26 touchdowns and 71 receptions.

But it was more than just his tape that had the Bears excited, as he was lauded for his work ethic and leadership for the Cyclones. The more we, as fans, got to learn about his background and the type of person he was, the more we saw a guy that was going to be an easy fit in the close-knit Bears’ locker room.

On Tuesday, June 25, Montgomery was named this year’s (2018-19) recipient of the Big 12 Male Sportsperson of the Year Award. The award is given to “student-athletes who displayed an extraordinary degree of sportsmanship and/or community service within the conference.”

“The impact David had on the Iowa State football program, the University and to our great community is impossible to quantify,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said via cyclones.com. “He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the all-time greats to wear the Cardinal and Gold, but his legacy will extend far beyond the field. He truly led the culture change within our walls.”

Montgomery signed his rookie contract on June 14, and he’s set to report to training camp with the other Chicago rookies on July 22.