The Chicago Bears have the most retired jersey numbers in the NFL with 14, and while some are household names, like George Halas, Mike Ditka, or Walter Payton, how many fans know about Bill Hewitt, George McAfee, or Willie Gallimore? What if I told you there was a way to honor past Chicago greats while amplifying their significance wearing the Navy and Orange?
A few years ago, Chicago sports historian Jack M Silverstein came up with a plan to put these iconic jersey numbers back in play in his article titled, The 50-Year Plan: How the Bears can unretire numbers and honor more legends
The Gist st of Jack’s plan is to put numbers back in circulation after 50 years, while having any players who wears the historic number get a special patch on their jersey. What better way to raise awareness for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund than by seeing a new Bear playing in Pic’s #41? Let a new generation of fan learn about Bronko Nagurski’s legend with a rookie running around in #3. Get a big offensive lineman in #77 (The Galloping Goliath?) while fans recognize the NFL’s first superstar, Red Grange.
Jack’s plan would be fantastic if the Bears implemented it. There’s a new stadium on the horizon, which would be an excellent time for the franchise to create a Ring of Honor.