![]() ![]() ![]() But both Mack and Bratz are given that distinction online. The last player to wear it in Chicago prior to Jordan was Mike Bratz, who played 15 games there in 1982-83. It was first retired in 1994 after Jordan went on a hiatus to play baseball, and then again after he retired after the 1997-98 season. 23 for the Bulls, starting with Norm Van Lier in 1972, and ending with Jordan from 1985-98. So, I just took 23, because it was close enough.” 25, but for some reason, I couldn’t get it. 23 was readily available in Chicago before the arrival of Jordan, it was not Mack’s first choice. Mack, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, was traded to the Bulls in February of 1980, and then went to the Dallas Mavericks the next season.īut he almost was not part of the Bulls trivia. 1 overall pick with their first selection that season. ![]() Mack, a New York native, was the 25th pick in the 1979 NBA draft, taken in Round 2 out of East Carolina by the Los Angeles Lakers. 23 before Michael, and my name is in the books there.” “It’s funny, because it’s a trivia question,” said Mack, the Director of Truancy and Prevention at the Peoria County Regional Office of Education. Ollie Mack was one of just a few players who wore that number for the Bulls before Michael Jordan entered the picture and had it retired - twice. 23 from the Chicago Bulls has been living in the Peoria area.īut it’s not “Air Jordan.” It’s “Air Mack.” The fact he had to retire before turning 30 because of injuries was a tragedy.PEORIA - For the past 26 years, a former No. If that weren’t enough, he is also third in punt return yards in team history with 1,171 yards. Go watch his games against the Giants in the 1985 postseason and the Eagles in the 1988 postseason for reminders. Every time the Bears needed a clutch play, it felt like he was the one making it. His numbers as a receiver were never huge, but he made the most of his opportunities. People often get too lost in the pure stats and fail to recognize the real impact of a player. If they did back then, he might be the first-ever person to make the Hall of Fame as a player and a coach. It’s sad offensive line coaches didn’t start getting proper recognition until the past decade. Chicago had one of the greatest running games in NFL history during the 1980s, and Stanfel guided the way. Jay Hilgenberg and Mark Bortz were Pro Bowlers under his watch. Jimbo Covert is in the Hall of Fame because of him. After all, he was the architect of the greatest offensive line in franchise history. People talk about Vince Tobin, at least because he replaced Buddy Ryan. The worst part is he retired right before the 1985 season. Analysts went back to 1960 and tracked every sack made by players before the stat became official in 1982. Osborne’s greatness was overshadowed by playing on some truly awful teams. That is the consequence of playing most of your career in the 1970s. It’s always Dan Hampton, Steve McMichael, Doug Atkins, or Richard Dent. When people talk about the greatest defensive linemen in Bears history, nobody mentions Osborne. The man was a three-phase star who was decades ahead of his time. If that weren’t enough, he also amassed over 3,000 yards of total offense and 32 touchdowns. He ranks 7th in franchise history with 25 interceptions and second in punt return yards with 1,431. It’s amazing how often McAfee gets overlooked, considering he’s in the Hall of Fame. Everybody knows the names brought up the most from that era: Sid Luckman, Bulldog Turner, Joe Stydahar, and Hugh Gallarneau. Only diehard fans have intimate knowledge of the dynasty Bears teams. Vince Tobin isn’t the only underappreciated Bears great. Who are other Bears legends that deserve more notoriety and respect than they’ve gotten over the years? Here are some names you should look up. That wasn’t his fault, but it’s the reality of sports. Sadly, Tobin never escaped the shadow Ryan left behind because he failed to win a Super Bowl. He deserved more love for what he accomplished. ![]()
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