Chicago Bears retired numbers

The Chicago Bears own one of the richest legacies in NFL history with the current NFC North franchise dating all the way back to the early 20th century.

The Chicago Bears own one of the richest legacies in NFL history. Their current NFC North franchise dates all the way back to the early 20th century. Despite the fact that the heralded franchise has won only one Super Bowl title since the 1970 merger, the Bears remain one of the most popular organizations around. That has been the case for just about 100 years at this point. With that being said, the Bears have succeeded at different points in the franchise's history. Chicago can thank the slew of talented players that have passed through the “Windy City” for that.

Like any other teams, the Bears have quite the group of retired numbers. Though Chicago's list can go toe-to-toe with just about any other organization's from around the league. Not only that, however, but the Bears' list of retired numbers is most impressive due to its variety and coverage of all sorts of different positions and two-way players. Even though this list is extensive with more than a few incredibly well-known figures, five of the team's 13 retired numbers standout on simply a different level.

No. 3 Bronko Nagurski, FB / LB / DL (1930 – 37 & 1943)

An inaugural inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame all the way back in 1963, former Chicago Bears linebacker, fullback and defensive lineman Bronko Nagurski notably spent his entire professional playing career with the heralded NFC franchise. Nagurski lead the entire NFL in rushing touchdowns in 1933. Nagurski finished his Pro Hall of Fame career as a three-time NFL Champion and seven-time All-Pro selection. with three of those nods coming by way of a first-team inclusion. Perhaps most notably, though, the best defensive player in college football is honored by receiving the Nagurski Award each season even to this day. As part of the era of the two-way player, Nagurski could quite literally do it all when on the gridiron.

No. 7 George Halas, Founder / Owner / Head Coach (1922 – 1983)

Former Chicago Bears owner and head coach George Halas is the most famed member of this organization as he was not only the founder of the franchise but also a co-founder of the NFL in 1920. He was then enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as one of the first 17 inductees ever in 1963. In fact, this was an honor he helped start with another Chicago legend in Bronko Nagurski. In addition to serving as the founder of the franchise, Halas was the team’s head coach on four separate occasions from 1922 to 1929, from 1933 to 1942, from 1946 to 1955 and lastly from 1958 to 1967.

Halas, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, led the Bears to a whopping eight NFL Championships before all was said and done. While Halas is obviously the most revered figure in the history of the franchise considering that there would be no Chicago Bears without him, he is also one of the most highly-regarded figures in NFL history on a league-wide scale — the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is even located on George Halas Drive.

No. 34 Walter Payton, RB (1975 – 1987)

Even after more than 30 years post-retirement from the NFL, Chicago Bears legendary running back Walter “Sweetness” Payton remains the franchise's all-time leading rusher. He producing a total of 16,726 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns via the ground game over the course of 190 appearances and 13 seasons in the Windy City. Payton has almost double the amount of rushing yards than the No. 2 player on the same list — former Bears running back Matt Forte.

He amassed great success over the course of his Pro Football Hall of Fame career, which was spent exclusively with the Bears. Payton was a Super Bowl Champion, nine-time Pro Bowl selection, seven-time first-team All-Pro, one-time second-team All-Pro, one-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year and the 1977 NFL MVP. He was also selected as the league's Man of the Year in 1977, an award that is now named after him.

No. 40 Gale Sayers, RB (1965 – 1971)

Here's another legendary running back that spent their entire professional playing career as a member of the famed Chicago Bears. Gale Sayers was no doubt one of the best to ever play the position atop the highest level. Over the course of his time with the Bears, Sayers became a four-time Pro Bowl selection, a five-time All-Pro selection, NFL Rookie of the Year and NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He did this all while leading the entire league in rushing yards not once but twice.

It is also worth noting that Sayers is yet another Chicago bear that has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Because of all of the talented running backs that the Bears have had over the years, the aforementioned Walter Payton included, it seems as though Sayers sometimes gets lost in the mix among the greatest of all time. Nonetheless, there is absolutely no doubt that his time with the Bears and all the statistics and success that came with that stint have him right there toward the top of the heap.

No. 51 Dick Butkus, LB (1965 – 1973)

One of the most well-known players to ever grace the field as an NFL superstar, longtime Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus is arguably the best overall player in franchise history. He spent his entire professional playing career with the Bears en route to a trip to Canton as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Butkus' list of accomplishments as a NFL linebacker is as thorough and impressive as it gets.

In addition to serving as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Bears legend was also an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, six-time first-team All-Pro selection, two-time second-team All-Pro selection and a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Like another Bears great at the linebacker position in Bronko Nagurski, Butkus has a top level collegiate award named after him. Each year, the best collegiate linebacker is rewarded with the Butkus Award.

Remaining Chicago Bears' Retired Numbers

No. 5 George McAfee, RB / DB (1940 1941 & 1945 – 1950)