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Chicago Bears: Top 10 offensive linemen in franchise history

By Carlos Nazario

LOS ANGELES - SEPTEMBER 30: Center Jay Hilgenberg #63 of the Chicago Bears walks off the field during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 30, 1990 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 24-10. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - SEPTEMBER 30: Center Jay Hilgenberg #63 of the Chicago Bears walks off the field during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 30, 1990 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 24-10. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /
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Photo by George Rose/Getty Images
Photo by George Rose/Getty Images /

7. Clyde “Bulldog” Turner (1940-52): 138 games

Clyde “Bulldog” Turner came from the era when players played two ways. Turner was the center and a linebacker. Also, in his final season, he played right tackle on offense. Turner was a seven-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. He helped the Bears win four championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

As fierce and mean as Turner was, he was also athletic and had good speed. He had 17 career interceptions. In five championship games, he had four interceptions. On the offensive line, Turner handled whoever the opposition put in front of him. He did such a good job that defenders could only come up with bad excuses.

6. George Trafton (1920-32): 148 games

George Trafton was one of a handful of Chicago-born players who excelled for their hometown team. He started his career playing for the Bears before they were the Bears. In 1920 they were the Decatur Staleys. He was the second Bears offensive linemen named to the 1920s All-Decade team. He was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964.

It’s funny when you see things done on the field that you don’t think twice about but were revolutionary back in the day. Today, every center snaps the ball with one hand. Back then, no one did. Trafton was the first to do it. He was another Chicago Bears player who set a trend that became a commonplace occurrence in the NFL.

5. Keith Van Horne (1981-93): 186 games

Throughout his career, Keith Van Horne was severely underrated. Measuring in at 6-6 and weighing 281 pounds, he was big, even for an offensive lineman.  That size made what he did look easy. He never got the national accolades or postseason awards, but he was a stalwart on possibly the franchise’s best offensive line.

It’s very difficult to play 186 games, let alone start 169 of them. Van Horne worked through all the bumps and bruises to play in as many games as he did and to be a part of the offensive lines that helped Sweetness break the rushing record.

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