KANSAS COMET FLIES BY ALL BEARS ROOKIES
Bears have had an exceptional history of production from first-year players
Sayers had best season of all first-year players in franchise history, but there are many more worth celebrating.
1940: BEST ROOKIE CLASS EVER?
The Bears’ 1965 and 1983 draft classes have a rightful place as the best in franchise history.
For star power, nothing tops the 1965 class, which produced two of the best players in NFL history in running back Gale Sayers (third overall) and linebacker Dick Butkus (fourth). Both had phenomenal rookie seasons and were named to the All-Pro team on their way to the Hall of Fame.
For depth, the 1983 rookie class is indelibly etched in Bears history for producing eight starters on the 1985 Super Bowl team. Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Dent (eighth round) heads a group that also included Pro Bowl tackle Jim Covert (first), Pro Bowl safety Dave Duerson (third), receivers Dennis McKinnon (undrafted free agent) and Willie Gault (first), cornerback Mike Richardson (second) and guards Mark Bortz (eighth) and Tom Thayer (a fourth-round pick who didn’t join the Bears until 1985 after initially playing in the U.S. Football League).
But when it comes to rookie production that put a team over the top, the 1940 class merits special mention. It was headed by two future Hall of Famers — center Clyde ‘‘Bulldog’’ Turner from Hardin-Simmons and halfback George ‘‘One Play’’ McAfee from Duke — and end Ken Kavanaugh, but it was ably supported by several other rookies who contributed to the 1940 championship team.
Lee Artoe became a starter at right tackle and was an honorable-mention All-Pro selection. He also kicked a team-record 52-yard field goal. End Harry Clark scored two touchdowns against the Giants — one on offense and one on defense. End Bob Nowaskey caught two touchdown passes in a rout of the Rams. Ray McLean returned a punt 44 yards for a touchdown against the Cardinals.
And in the legendary 73-0 rout of the Redskins in the NFL Championship Game, the rookie class combined for six touchdowns. Hampton Pool intercepted a pass by Sammy Baugh and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown. Turner and McAfee also scored on interception returns. Kavanaugh caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Sid Luckman. And Clark rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a one-yarder that accounted for the famous final score.
In all, 11 rookies played a role in the 1940 season, including tackles Ed Kolman and Joe Mihal and guard Ed Biasi. And each of them played on multiple Bears championship teams of the 1940s.