Lots of people wondered whether Caleb Williams would ever embrace the idea of becoming quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Everybody knew the team’s reputation. It had an ugly history of developing the position. It’s never been the best place to build a legacy. Initially, Williams had concerns. However, after digging deeper into the organization, the young quarterback realized he had been presented with an opportunity. If he could excel in Chicago, he’d be pioneering territory nobody else has walked in decades. Williams would be the icon who saved the franchise.
Over the next two years, the quarterback fully embraced the city and its fans. He frequented regular Chicago restaurants, interacted with people every chance he could, and immersed himself in the organization’s culture. For the most part, that has been a rousing success. Unfortunately, not everything can be perfect. If there is one topic Williams is sorely lacking, it is his Bears history. During an interview in advance of the new Madden release, he was asked who is on his Bears Mount Rushmore.
Let’s just say his choices left a lot to be desired:
- Matt Forte
- Jim McMahon
- Devin Hester
- Brian Urlacher or Mike Singletary
Caleb Williams clearly hasn’t done his homework.
His list skews drastically towards the more modern era of Bears football. Now, having Hester and Urlacher included can be justified. One is the greatest return man in NFL history, the only one to ever reach the Hall of Fame. The other was one of the greatest linebackers of his generation. The issue lay with the inclusions of Forte and McMahon. Now this is not to say they’re bad players. Far from it. Forte was eternally underrated as a running back, accumulating over 12,000 total yards in eight seasons with the Bears. McMahon captained the Bears to their only Super Bowl title. Both have undeniable legacies worth celebrating.
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But two of the four best ever in franchise history?
That just isn’t defensible. Forte is nowhere close to Walter Payton, who is both the best running back to ever wear a Bears uniform and probably the best player in team history. Then you have George Halas, the founder of the franchise, who won nine championships as a head coach. One can’t forget Dick Butkus, perhaps the most feared player in NFL history and an all-time great linebacker. Last but certainly not least, Mike Ditka has a case as a Hall of Fame tight end and the head coach of that Super Bowl championship team.
Younger people forget how old the Bears really are.
Many don’t understand that this organization has existed longer than grandparents have been alive. Even great-grandparents. The legacy of great players and coaches goes back over a century. If you’re going to build a proper Mount Rushmore, you can’t include names like Hester and Forte without considering Sid Luckman, Gale Sayers, and Doug Atkins. The list of options is truly prodigious. For all his devotion to the franchise, it is pretty apparent Caleb Williams didn’t do his research with that list.
He can be forgiven. The quarterback has only been a resident for two years. It often takes longer to absorb the full breadth of the Bears’ history. One thing is certain. Williams probably aims to be on that list himself one day. He’s certainly off to a good start, already holding multiple franchise records and a playoff win over the hated Green Bay Packers. If he can deliver a Super Bowl or two in the coming years, you can bet fans everywhere will save a slot for him on their lists.
