TOP 10 BEARS FROM CHICAGO
1. Dick Butkus, Vocational — His 26-yard field goal beat Taft 3-0 in the Public League semifinals in 1959. There was nothing he couldn’t do. 2. Red Grange, Wheaton — A prolific all-around athlete who was a state-champion sprinter, the Wheaton ‘‘Ice Man’’ scored 75 touchdowns in high school. 3. George Halas, Crane — Not much is known about Halas’ athletic career at Crane, but he played ‘‘lightweight’’ football and baseball and ran track before heading to Illinois. 4. George Connor, De La Salle — He was 5-5 and 135 pounds as a freshman and 6-3 and 200 pounds as a junior. He became an all-state lineman as a 16-year-old senior. 5. Ed O’Bradovich, Proviso — Played quarterback in football and forward in basketball and put the shot in track before heading to Illinois.
6. George Trafton, Oak Park — A native West Sider, Trafton got his start at Oak Park under Bob Zuppke before Zuppke left to coach at Illinois.
7. Gary Fencik, Barrington — Besides being a standout safety, Fencik also was a punt returner, with a 62-yard touchdown as a senior. 8. Hugh Gallarneau, Morgan Park — South Sider who played on the 1941, 1942 and 1946 championship teams didn’t play football in high school.
9. George Wilson, Austin — Chicago native was one of six players on the Bears’ four NFL title teams of the 1940s. He also coached the Lions to their last NFL title in 1957.
10. Dick Barwegen, Fenger — Standout center/guard on Fenger teams that had a 37-game unbeaten streak and won the 1940 city title. ✶