With his Bears
career in doubt after being put on injured reserve this week, guard Kyle Long considers himself a “Bear for life.” He joins a long list of players who forever will be remembered as Bears. With Long’s sentiment in mind, here are the top 10 Bears in years of service with the franchise:
1. Patrick Mannelly (1998-2013) — The best long snapper in franchise history and one of the best in the NFL, Mannelly played in 252 games over his 16-year career.
2. Doug Buffone
(1966-79) — Set team marks with 186 games and 142 straight games played. Broke Dick Butkus’ team record with 24 career INTs. Also played in two playoff games.
3. Bill George
(1952-65) — Hall of Fame linebacker is one of three Bears to play 14 seasons or more with the franchise. All-NFL eight times in 10 seasons from 1955 to ’64.
4. Steve McMichael
(1981-93) — Though he started with the Patriots and finished with the Packers, McMichael is a true-blue, heart-and-soul Bear who played in 203 games during his 13 seasons in Chicago.
5. Olin Kreutz
(1998-2010) — Sixtime Pro Bowl center started 134 consecutive games (and 153 of 154 since 2001) before being unceremoniously let go in 2011.
6. Walter Payton (1975-87) — The greatest player in franchise history, Payton missed only one game in his illustrious 13-year career — Week 5 of his rookie season — and ended his career with a streak of 173 starts.
7. Keith Van Horne
(1981-93) — One of the best Bears to never make a Pro Bowl, Van Horne was a dependable stalwart at right tackle, with 166 starts from 1981 to ’92.
8. Brian Urlacher (2000-12) — His 180 regular-season starts are third all time behind Payton (184) and Kreutz (183). Unceremoniously let go after the 2012 season, he had opportunities elsewhere but retired rather than play for another team.
9. Jim Osborne (1972-84) — An underrated, productive defensive tackle who started on Bears defenses with Dick Butkus (1972) and Dan Hampton/Richard Dent (1983), Osborne played in 190 of 194 games in his 13-year career.
10. Clyde “Bulldog” Turner
(1940-52) — Hall of Fame center/linebacker played on four NFL championship teams in the glory years of the Sid Luckman era — 1940, 1941, 1943 and 1946. Including exhibitions, he played in 207 pro games.