Chicago Bears: Top 10 draft picks in franchise history

7. Johnny Morris, Wide Receiver: 12th Round, No. 137 Overall, 1958

Many of you reading this might not know who Johnny Morris is. However, he is actually the Bears’ all-time leading receiver. You know, it’s amazing when you see these offensive players owning all-time franchise records for decades. You see why the concept of having a modern-day offense excites the fans.

Morris was a one-time Pro Bowler and a one-time All-Pro first team. In 1964, he led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. In addition to having the Bears all-time record for yards (5,059), he ranks third in receptions (356) and fifth in touchdowns (31). Also, he helped the Bears win the championship in 1963.

One interesting note on Morris is that in college he broke the record for the fastest 50-yard dash. It wasn’t just a college record, mind you, but a world record.

After the Bears drafted Gayle Sayers in 1965, Morris’ role in the offense drastically went down. After recording a career-high 93 receptions in 1964, he only had 78 in his last three seasons. Sayers was the master of the offense now and Morris faded away. He didn’t fade too much, though, as he became very popular as a sportscaster with WBBM-TV and WMAQ-TV until he retired in 1996.

I like Morris but I hope his receiving record falls in the upcoming seasons. However, the Bears got real value with this pick.