The 2020 year counts as the 100th in NFL history. So the Pro Football Hall of Fame wanted to do something special for the occasion, increasing the size of their typical class. One that could accommodate more senior options in hopes of finally getting some overlooked stars into Canton. This proved a big opportunity for a couple of former Chicago Bears. One was pass rushing terror Ed Sprinkle and other left tackle Jimbo Covert, anchor of the great offensive lines of the 1980s.
New has since broken that Covert will finally receive his gold jacket. Up until now, the two-time Pro Bowl blocker and Super Bowl champion was the only member of the 1980s All-Decade first team to not be in the Hall of Fame. That is no longer a tag he’ll have to wear. The Bears drafted Covert 6th overall in 1983 and he instantly became a force on the edge for that team. Not only was he a dependable pass blocker, but also a primary force for one of the most consistently excellent rushing attacks in league history.
If his career hadn’t been cut short by a neck injury, the odds are he would’ve been in the Hall of Fame a long time ago.
Chicago Bears also see an ugly streak finally end
Covert’s cracking of the list ends a bit of an unsightly streak for the Bears. The last time they managed to get an offensive player into Canton was 1993 when Walter Payton got his jacket. Since then it’s been nothing but defense with Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Richard Dent, and Brian Urlacher all finding their way in. People always talk about the defense being the reason the Bears were so great in the ’80s. It’s so easy to forget they had some pretty strong offenses too.
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Covert was a primary reason for that success.
