Chicago Bears: Top 10 draft picks in franchise history

6. Mike Singletary, Linebacker: Second Round, No. 38 overall, 1981

Mike Singletary is one of three linebackers on this list. If it’s one thing the Chicago Bears know it’s linebackers (hopefully the Bears find another this year). Singletary was the leader of possibly the greatest defense in league history. That says a lot. He directed the craziness that was the Monsters of the Midway.

Another thing the Bears are noted for is having players who could knock the stuffing out of ball carriers and crack helmets. Well, Singletary literally cracked helmets in his career. He kept a mantel with a number of cracked helmets he was responsible for. He was like a rabid dog on the field. Opposing quarterbacks had to look at a bouncy, wide-eyed wild man ready to break him into two.

Singletary earned the nickname “Samurai Mike” for his intimidating play on the field. Additionally, he had the nickname “Minister of Defense.” He earned that one because as intimidating as he was, he was also an ordained minister. Actually, he could administer last rites on a player he plastered.

In his 12-year career with the Bears, Singletary was an 8-time All-Pro and went to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls. Also, he was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded an amazing  1,488 tackles, 885 of them solo. That is an average of 124 tackles (and almost 74 solo) a season. After his rookie season, he ranked first or second on the team in tackles for 11 consecutive years.

When you think of a Bears defensive player, you think of someone like Singletary. The Bears hope they return to glory with players who exemplify Singletary’s play.