Three Former Bears Players Elected to the Hall of Fame
Photo Credit: Tony Tomsic/USA TODAY
Three former Chicago Bears players are going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Return specialist Devin Hester, defensive end Julius Peppers, and defensive tackle Steve “Mongo” McMichael are the three names.
As first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times’ Jason Lieser, those three men were reported to make the Hall of Fame. The official announcement was going to be made at tonight’s NFL Honors ceremony. However, due to this news, a few players were made aware ahead of time. For better or for worse.
According to former NFL scout Greg Gabriel on X, the three players in question were already notified a week ago prior to the announcement from the Times. The Hall of Fame and the NFL reportedly are not happy due to the leak.
Hester needs no introduction. Over his 11-year career, he amassed over 10,000 return yards in both punt and kick returns, a record 20 returns for touchdowns, the first and only player to have an opening kickoff return for a touchdown in a Super Bowl, four pro bowl nominations, three First Team All-Pro nominations, one Second Team All-Pro nominations, and a member of the NFL’s all decade team twice. A decorated career for arguably the best return specialist in NFL history.
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Peppers is one of the most decorated DE’s in NFL history. 159.5 career sacks, which is the fourth most in NFL history. He had 51 forced fumbles, which is the second most by a player in NFL history. Finally, the sixth most career games by a defensive player in NFL history, with 266 total games played in his long career. He also had four First Team All-Pro nominations, three Second Team All-Pro nominations, a nine time pro bowler, and a member of the NFL’s all decade team twice along with Hester. Before the announcement, he was one of 15 names that were rumored to be top finalists for the Hall of Fame.
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McMichael is a name most older Bears fans will recognize. He was one of the defensive anchors behind the Bears Super Bowl XX victory against the New England Patriots. A decorated player with 95 career sacks, two First Team All-Pro nominations and two Pro Bowl nominations. McMichael is a name many have forgotten, but not much longer.
