Fansided

10 greatest Chicago Bears of all time

By Russell S. Baxter

LOS ANGELES,CA: Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears circa 1987 prepares to play against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES,CA: Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears circa 1987 prepares to play against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO – NOVEMBER: Defensive end Richard Dent #95 of the Chicago Bears stretches during game in November of 1987 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO – NOVEMBER: Defensive end Richard Dent #95 of the Chicago Bears stretches during game in November of 1987 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

8. DE Richard Dent

The fabled first round of the 1983 NFL Draft is known for its exceptional quarterback class as well as giving the Pro Football Hall of Fame a total of seven enshrinees. From signal-callers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino to running back Eric Dickerson, offensive linemen Bruce Matthews and Jimbo Covert and cornerback Darrell Green.

In the eighth round that year, the Miami Dolphins snared wide receiver Mark Clayton with the 223rd overall pick. But 20 choices earlier, the Chicago Bears came up with a gem in Tennessee State defensive end Richard Dent at No. 203, who got the call from the Hall and was inducted in 2011.

He spent the first 11 seasons of his NFL career (1983-93) with the Bears and then returned to the team in 1995 for one more season. His career with the franchises added up to 124.5 sacks, 37 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries and an impressive eight interceptions.

Dent was also a pivotal part of those great defenses of the 1980s and early ‘90s. In the team’s 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX at the Superdome, he finished with three tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble on the way to earning game MVP honors.

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