Gould sails past Butler as Bears’ points leader
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Robbie Gould is No. 1 and will be for a long time.
With 44- and 30- yard field goals in the Bears’ dramatic 18- 17 win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Gould became the all- time franchise leader in points scored.
He entered the game four points behind Kevin Butler, who had 1,116 career points with Bears. Gould, who declined questions after the game, now has 1,118 points.
Butler told the Sun- Times last week that he anticipated Gould would break his record in Kansas City and that he was rooting for him. The two have become close friends.
‘‘[ His career has] been amazing,’’ Butler said. ‘‘ He’s just been consistent to a new level for kickers, not only in the NFL, but in Chicago with that tough weather. He’s just been unbelievable. I’m very proud of him.’’
Butler broke Walter Payton’s mark of 750 points on Oct. 4, 1992, in Minnesota with a 50- yard field goal and continued adding to the record until he left the Bears in 1995.
Gould, one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, remains perfect on the season, making all 11 of his field- goal attempts. He already has the team record for field goals, which he increased Sunday to 254.
‘‘ He just seems to get better, better,’’ Butler said. ‘‘ He’s comfortable in Chicago. He’s comfortable in that Bears uniform, and he’s embraced it. That’s one of his greatest successes.’’
Gould, a team captain, was in charge of giving the team speech Saturday.
‘‘ He just talked about your ‘ why,’ ’’ receiver Josh Bellamy said. ‘‘ Why are you playing this game? What are you doing it for? Sometimes you’ve got to think, ‘ What’s your why?’ ”
Those close to Gould will say he’s driven to be the best ever.
‘‘ I’m proud of him,’’ former Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly said. ‘‘ I got to see him walk in as a kid with hair in 2005 and work his butt off to be best kicker in Bears history.’’