Images: Looking Back at Bears' Top Draft Picks
See images of some of the top draft picks for the Chicago Bears in the NFL drafts from 1939-2000. Sid Luckman, Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, and Brian Urlacher are among those featured.
Sid Luckman was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1939. Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman runs past Los Angeles Rams Tom Fears in this undated photo.
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Sid Luckman was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1939. Chicago Bears' Sid Luckman warms up in Washington for a game with the Redskins, Nov. 20, 1943.
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Bill Osmanski was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1939 .Bill Osmanski, the Chicago Bears' full back, is under full steam racing for the Washington Redskins goal line on the second play of the NFL Championship game in Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 1940. Osmanski went on a reverse around left end and ate up 68 yards for a touchdown. The Bears slaughtered the Skins, 73-0.
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Clyde Turner was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1940 .Shown in photo is Clyde (bulldog) Turner center for Chicago Bears in training camp at Renssalaer, Ind., on August 8, 1946.
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Clyde Turner was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1940 .Clyde Turner of the Chicago Bears in posed action, 1948.
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Johnny Lujack was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1946. Chicago Bears' quarterback Johnny Lujack (32) is congratulated by coach George Halas, left, on setting a National League aerial gain record of 468 yards in defeating their rivals, the Chicago Cardinals at Chicago, Dec. 11, 1949.
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Bob Fenimore was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1947. Owner-Coach George Halas (left) of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League hands a pen to Bob Fenimore, Oklahoma A & M halfback, to sign a three-year contract with the Bears in Chicago on Jan. 18, 1947. Halas withheld announcement of the signing until he had a physician examine Fenimoreís ailing knee.
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Bob Fenimore was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1947. In this Jan. 1, 1946 file photo, Oklahoma A&M's Bob Fenimore (55) cuts sharply to his left and prepares a stiff arm a St. Mary tacklers as he drives over his right tackle to pick up seven yards in the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl classic college football game in New Orleans. Fenimore, who was the top pick in the 1947 NFL draft, died Wednesday, July 28, 2010, in Stillwater, Okla. He was 84.
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Jim Dooley was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1952. Jim Dooley, Chicago Bears end, went to his knees to snare pass from teammate Ed Brown in the fourth period of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Kezar Stadium, Oct. 26, 1959, San Francisco, Calif. That's 49er back Jerry Mertens making the tackle. The 49ers won in final seconds, 20-17. Victory enabled them to remain in a tie for first place in the NFLs western division.
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Mike Ditka was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1961. Mike Ditka (89), of the Chicago Bears, stumbles as he picks up 15 yards on a pass play from quarterback Rudy Bukich, but is grounded by Green Bay's Tom Brown (40) in the fourth quarter of their National Football League game Sunday, Oct. 16, 1966, in Chicago. Ray Nitschke (66) moves in on the play. Green Bay won 17 to 0.
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Mike Ditka was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1961.This Jan. 26, 1986 file photo shows, Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka reaches to shake hands with New England Patriots coach Raymond Berry after the Bears won Super Bowl XX in New Orleans. Ditka is being carried by William Perry, right, and Steve McMichael.
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Mike Ditka was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1961. Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka is pictured on the sidelines during a game, date and location unknown. "Da Coach" Mike Ditka led the team to a Super Bowl victory as head coach in 1986.
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Dick Evey was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1964.In this Aug. 20, 1970, file photo, Chicago Bears' Dick Evey poses for a photo. Evey, who played most of his eight seasons in the NFL with the Bears, has died at age 72. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service in Maryville, Tenn., says he died Thursday, May 23, 2013, at the Ben Atchley State Veterans Home in Knoxville after a long illness.
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Dick Butkus was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1965. Butkus, a University of Illinois center and linebacker, is shown in New York, Nov. 28, 1964. He'd rather have a long-term contract than a big bonus which he feels might make teammates peeved. Butkus say he "doesn't want to make anybody mad," including team owners.
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Gale Sayers was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1965.Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers carries the ball in this Nov. 10, 1970 photo against the San Francisco 49ers in Chicago.
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Walter Payton was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1975.New Orleans Saints Derland Moore and Joe Federspiel close in as Chicago Bears Walter Payton high steps through the line to pick up 15 yards and a first down during the fourth quarter, Sunday, Oct. 2, 1977 in Chicago.
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Dan Hampton was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1979 .Chicago Bears Mark Carrier celebrates with teammate Dan Hampton, right, after NFC wild-card game victory over the New Orleans Saints in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 7, 1991. The Bears beat the Saints 16-6 to advance in the playoffs, they play the New York Giants next week.
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Otis Wilson was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1980.Chicago Bears linebacker Otis Wilson (55) celebrates his sack of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Stave Pelluer (16) in the fourth quarter at Irving, Texas on Sunday, Dec. 22, 1987. The Bears won 24-10.
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Jim McMahon was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1982.Chicago Bears' quarterback Jim McMahon readies to pass during first half action against the Buffalo Bills in Chicago, Oct. 2, 1988. McMahon's contributions spurred the Bears to a 24-3 victory over the previously undefeated Bills.
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Jim Covert was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1983.Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton runs through an opening in the Los Angeles Raiders defensive line to score his second touchdown in the first-half of action, Sunday, Nov. 4, 1984 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Payton follows the blocking of Bears tackle Jim Covert and eludes Raider line backer Rod Martin.
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Willia Gault was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1983 .Chicago Bears wide receiver Willie Gault, takes time out at the Bears training camp in Platteville, Wisconsin on August 21, 1985, although Gault has no receptions in two preseason games, his work at training camp convinced teammates and coaches that he is going to fulfill the promise of his 1 speed and athletic ability. "Heíll get the ball more and become the threat ever thinks heíll be,î predicted head Coach Mike Ditka.
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William Perry was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 1985 .Chicago Bears defensive lineman William "Refrigerator" Perry spikes the ball after being brought into the game to score on a 1-yard run in the third quarter of Super Bowl XX in New Orleans, Jan. 26, 1986. Perry's touchdown and the extra point gave the Bears a gaudy 44-3 lead over the New England Patriots. The Bears won 46-10 in the first Super Bowl appearance for either team.
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Brian Urlacher was a Bears' first-round draft pick of 2000. Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears takes down Cameron Cleeland of the New England Patriots in this 2002 photo.
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