"We could never seem to get over the hump," said ex-Bears safety Richie Petitbon, a teammate of Butkus and Sayers from 1965-68. Three of the best players on the Bears' 1963 NFL championship team were second-round picks: fullback Rick Casares (1954), Petitbon (1959) and cornerback Bennie McRae (1962). ", "It was his ability to change direction running at full speed," Wetoska told FOX Sports. Nelson played 12 NFL seasons, including Pro Bowl campaigns in 2015, when he led the NFL in interceptions, and 2016. Or write about sports? Former Bears linebacker Mike Singletary and returner/receiver Devin Hester. Born: Tillman set Bears records with nine defensive touchdowns, eight interception return TDs and 675 interception return yards while also forcing 42 fumbles. The following game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sayers turned a screen pass into an 80-yard score and threw for a touchdown on a halfback option play. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. Prior to that, he had experience at right guard, center, and right tackle (plus one snap at left tackle) in 2021 and right guard and center in 2020. 6 / 10 5. Jeffery was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2013 after catching 89 passes for 1,421 yards and seven touchdowns and followed with 85 receptions for 1,133 yards and 10 TDs in 2014. Petitbon earned that honor in 1963, when he intercepted eight passes in . It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The duo played basketball and football together at Gonzaga College High School in Washington D.C. Petitbon was the mauler on . Both Petitbon brothers are members of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. 2019; Career; Defense & Fumbles * indicates bowl stats included; Defense & Fumbles Table; Tackles Def Int Fumbles; Year The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Draft: Chicago Bears in the 2nd round (21st overall) of the 1959 NFL Draft. Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these, Brian Piccolo as the latter suffered through what proved a fatal case of cancer. "George showed a lot of ingenuity in realizing what he had in this kid and a way he could use him to get the most out of him on the field at all times.". Urlacher wowed Bears scout from first meeting on, What analysts predict Bears will do with No. Butkus recorded a career-high five of his 22 overall interceptions in 1965. Jeremy Werner Oct 13, 2020 Illini right guard battle 'becoming clearer for us . That kind of unreliability is a large reason why the otherwise talented . Tillman played 12 seasons with the Bears from 2003-14. Petitbon, free safety Rosey Taylor and cornerbacks McRae and Whitsell all possessed speed, power and intelligence, and they worked tremendously in . "Suddenly, everybody was wearing those same pants.". The low point came in 1969 when the Bears finished 1-13. Note: sacks prior to 1982 are not official. That said, he apparently wasn't . 72 Richie Petitbon Position OL Height 6-4 Weight 316 Class Redshirt Junior Hometown Annapolis, Md. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. April 18,1938 Loyola (LA), Jones spent four seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver, but he had played quarterback at Arkansas. Petitbon said it was those skills that helped Sayers quickly win over Bears veterans after he initially caused a locker-room stir with his choice of attire. Born: All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. DeLong, a 1969 AFL All-Star who did ultimately join the Bears for his final season in 1972, died in 2010 at the age of 67. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. "George let Dick become a complete football player," said Petitbon, who later became renowned for his work as Washington's defensive coordinator in the 1980s and '90s. And while the prize picks of Buffalo's 1985 draft crop defensive end Bruce Smith and wide receiver Andre Reed -- didn't capture a title, they were part of the only franchise to ever appear in four consecutive Super Bowls. Recap the Bears' 2023 Draft with news, photos, highlights and more from all 10 members of the club's newest rookie class. Share 0. "It had a devastating effect.". "I was all about playing football. Barring a trade, the Bears will have two picks in the second round of next week's draft for the fourth time in the last six years. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Immediately eligible as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining. Rick Casares The star fullback was selected to five Pro Bowls, led the NFL in rushing in 1956 and retired as the Bears' all-time leading rusher. Known for smacking the ball away from opponents, a technique dubbed the "Peanut Punch," Tillman forced 42 fumbles in 12 seasons, including a career-high 10 in 2012 when he was voted to his second straight Pro Bowl. [1] After playing college football as a quarterback at Tulane,[2] he played safety for the Chicago Bears from 1959 to 1968, the Los Angeles Rams in 1969 and 1970, and the Washington Redskins in 1971 and 1972. Butkus received enshrinement in his first year of eligibility in 1979. He also established a charity foundation focused on helping underfunded Chicago-area schools. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Draft Fantasy Filter Forward . And that doesn't even count his magical 92-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Do you have a blog? 258 overall. The draft was simply held without television coverage or media hoopla in late November just after the regular college season ended. NBA Draft; Odds; NCAA WBK; Community. Starting right guard. Sophomore (2017) Richie Petitbon weighed 206 lbs (93 kg) when playing. He served as Payton's lead blocker while also rushing for 2,946 yards and 20 touchdowns on 828 carries and catching 260 passes for 2,113 yards and five TDs. Next up in our Countdown of the Top 100 Chicago Bears of all time is former safety Richie Petitbon. The drafts from other leagues are not included nor are any supplemental drafts that have been held by the NFL. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. With our final first-round mock of the 2023 NFL Draft process, Richie Bradshaw shakes it up with six trades including two trade downs for the Arizona Cardinals. Round 6, Pick 180: Kei'Trel Clark, CB, Louisville. [3] Petitbon also holds the Bears record for the longest interception return, after scoring on a 101-yard return against the Rams in 1962. A four-time Pro Bowler, Petitbon is the only one of the 14 SEC players picked at No. His outstretched arms are wrapped around a Green Bay rusher on one side and a blocker on the other while a third Packers player is blocking Butkus across the midsection in vain. McRae spent nine of 10 NFL seasons with the Bears from 1962-70, compiling 27 interceptions while appearing in 125 games with 112 starts. But before that season had ended, there was renewed hope for the 1965 campaign courtesy of the draft that was coincidentally being held in Chicago. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). 247Sports ranks Petitbon as the nation's No. [6], "Reed rumbles 108 yards for NFL record | Longest interception returns by team", "NFL Interception Return Yards Single-Season Leaders", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richie_Petitbon&oldid=1146672232, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 26 March 2023, at 08:54. Dating & Relationship status She is currently single. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Chicago, though, never got a shot at another NFL crown. "Here I am -- big, bad Butkus -- and I needed a five-way bypass," Ditka said last week on an NFL media conference call. While still recognized as gridiron legends, the life's work of both players isn't solely defined by football either. Richie Petitbon School: Tulane Position: QB 6-4 , 315lb (193cm, 142kg) Draft: 2nd round, 21st overall of the 1959 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears Richie Petitbon Overview Richie Petitbon NFL Stats On this page: Passing Rushing & Receiving Leaderboards, Awards, & Honors An ad blocker has likely prevented this video content from loading. Following his firing, Petitbon never took another job in the NFL. In episode one, team leaders reflect on the 2022 season and express optimism for the road ahead. He was voted first-team All-Pro, helping the Bears win the NFC Central with a 13-3 record. When the New York Giants and San Francisco used the top two picks respectively on fullbacks -- another radical departure from today's NFL -- the door was opened for Chicago to nab Sayers, Butkus and No. . When the draft concludes Saturday with Rounds 4-7, they have three selections: two in the fifth round (Nos. Please disable your ad blocker to view the video content. Richie Petitbon was born in New Orleans, LA. In that regard, Butkus has no regrets. 148 and 150) and one in the sixth (186). (The list includes only players selected in the regular NFL draft. Sayers rushed for four touchdowns that included a 50-yarder, scored on an 80-yard catch and sprinted into the end zone again on an 85-yard punt return. The draft process at the time was radically different than what will unfold later this week when the event returns to Chicago for the first time in 50 years. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Position: DB. Butkus cites himself as "the perfect case" of why males 40-and-older should undergo screening even if hesitant to undergo medical testing like he was. Sayers and Butkus? Colts owner Jim Irsay singles out Bryce Young when asked about his 2023 NFL draft . Richie Pettibon Scout Spotlight H.S. More problems followed and he retired in 1973. Wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, linebacker Chris Hanburger and quarterback Joe Namath joined Sayers and Butkus as Hall of Famers. He set team records with nine defensive touchdowns, eight interception return TDs and 675 interception return yards. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Generations after his final snap in 1973, the name "Butkus" remains synonymous with hard hits, nasty tackles and an attitude to match. Forte ranks second in Bears history behind Hall of Famer Walter Payton in several categories, including most rushing yards and receptions. Richard Alvin Petitbon (born April 18, 1938) is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). Only four other classes in the past 50 years yielded at least two Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees chosen by one team. All his single-season career highs four sacks, 6 tackles for loss and 23 total tackles came from his freshman year. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 6:49AM. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Of those, 25 remain heading into Round. Find out more. Round 6, Pick 213: Dante Stills, DE, West Virginia. "Dick was just the toughest son-of-a-gun you could ever run into," said Mike Ditka, a Bears tight end and Butkus teammate in 1965 and 1966. He did not find the same success as a head coach, lasting only one season. The Wake Forest product was voted to the league's All-Decade Team for the 1950s and was a member of the 1963 Bears championship squad. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. With the second-to-last pick in the draft, the Bears selected Stanford safety Kendall Williamson in the seventh round at No. 23 Most Interesting Things I Heard At Combine. Some names are easier to pronounce than others. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1. Any hopes of repeating were dashed in 1964 training camp. Butkus left face-to-face negotiations to his attorney in Chicago before heading to New York City for an appearance honoring college football's All-America team on the "Ed Sullivan Show" the night before the draft. Richie Petitbon was a great safety in his day, but was first a college track runner before shifting to football. The University of Tennessee offensive tackle spurned Chicago for the San Diego Chargers. * Selected to Pro Bowl, + First-Team AP All-Pro, Bold indicates league leader. "To tell you the truth, every year at camp I thought we were going to win. Richie Petitbon Height, Weight & Measurements At 84 years old, Richie Petitbon height is 6' 3" (1.91 m) . All rights reserved. "I loved the game," he said. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. From 1981 to 1992, he was the Redskins' defensive coordinator under head coach Joe Gibbs, either alone or sharing the job with Larry Peccatiello. He was selected first-team All-Pro for the 1963 champions after recording eight interceptions. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. During this time period, Petitbon was considered one of the top coordinators in football. Everyone on the team thought he was a candy-ass. video. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? He no longer had the same special burst upon returning. At age 34, Sayers became the youngest candidate voted into the Hall of Fame despite having only played seven seasons. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. "Generally, guys who are running straight ahead have to take a side-step to juke everybody. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We just didn't.". Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. April 26: NFL Mock Draft 2023: Our beat writers pick 5 QBs in first round with Bryce Young No. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. inNew Orleans,LA, College: Tulane Casares left the Bears as their all-time leading rusher with 5,657 yards, a record he held until it was broken by Payton in 1984. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. "He was the real deal. Do you have a blog? "You're always a little leery of rookies who are supposed to be good," Petitbon said. I had never made any contact with them before.". We present them here for purely educational purposes. The club was annually hamstrung by the same issues that helped send the 2014 Bears to a 5-11 record poor quarterbacking, suspect coaching and an overmatched defense. Find out more. Do you have a sports website? 8 but goes with a . It's the one that inspired Alabama's former offensive lineman Richie Petitbon to dub Jones "Joker." As in the Joker, all volcanic laugh and spasmodic bursts of movement and overall gaucheness. 2020 NFL Draft Pronunciation Guide. Watch as head coach Ron Rivera tells running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. that he will be joining the Washington Commanders. Butkus, 72, said he is still asked by fans about Chicago's inability to make the playoffs during his run. I got drafted and, lo and behold, I got to play for my own city. Richie Petitbon has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. With the Bears holding two second-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the top 10 Round 2 draft choices in team history. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Sayers was flashier on the field. Richie Petitbon. She is a member of famous Actor with the age 84 years old group. The 6-foot-4, 301-pounder bench-presses 300 pounds, squats 515 pounds, runs a 5.1-second 40-yard dash and has a 3.7 GPA. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Aging and underachieving, the team finished 4-12 and Petibon was dismissed by Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke in favor of archrival Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Norv Turner. After four straight seasons without a postseason . The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Richie Petitbon Petitbon was selected to four Pro Bowls and was voted first-team All-Pro in 1963 when he helped lead the Bears to the NFL championship. When Gibbs initially retired in 1993, Petitbon was named his successor. The 6-3, 206 . Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Petitbon first attended Loyola University New Orleans on a track and field scholarship and left after his freshman year to attend Tulane. Major knee injuries suffered by both greatly contributed to the franchise's subsequent failings. After four straight seasons without a postseason appearance, the 2015 Chicago Bears could use a draft like the one the franchise enjoyed a half-century ago. Although both can take solace in the legacies they built both during and after their NFL careers, neither made the playoffs before retiring as member of the Bears. Earned bachelor's degree in communication studies at Alabama in Dec. 2018. Petitbon was selected to four Pro Bowls and was voted first-team All-Pro in 1963 when he helped lead the Bears to the NFL championship. Photo by Al Paloczy/The Enthusiast Network via Getty Images, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. In fact, the Butkus Award is annually given to college football's top linebacker. The Patriots are 25-25 and without a playoff win since Tom Brady departed. All rights reserved (About Us). Bryan appeared in 25 of a possible 39 games from 2020-22 for Clemson. While his forte was run-stuffing, Petitbon said then-Bears defensive coordinator George Allen compensated for deficiencies Butkus had in pass coverage through a scheme that allowed the middle linebacker to freelance. If you saw "Bone" in his final coaching years, your first impression wasn't. I don't know if Petitbon would come back if he were asked. 3 overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft) and new . I'm pretty sure Petitbon and Casserly didn't get along. This made it possible for the group to competitively bid for or, in the case of the New York Jets Joe Namath, outspend NFL clubs for talent. Richie Petitbon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com Richie Petitbon Richard Alvin Petitbon Position: DB 6-3 , 206lb (190cm, 93kg) Born: April 18 in New Orleans, LA (Age: 85-001d) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info 4x Pro Bowl 1x All-Pro 1x NFL Champ 17 17 16 SUMMARY Career G 179 AV 107 Int 48 Yds 801 TD 3 All rights reserved. George spent his first 14 NFL seasons with the Bears from 1952-65, setting a team record for most years played that has since been surpassed by long-snapper Patrick Mannelly (16). 4 selection. His 336-yard overall performance in that game along with a then-record 22 touchdowns for the season were the deciding factors that helped Sayers edge Butkus for NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Wilson has played just 14 games over the last two seasons which has included two season-ending injuries in 2020 and 2022. saw action in six games (Louisville, Arkansas State, Ole Miss, Louisiana, Arkansas, The Citadel) as a junior. There's a lot to like about the Cardinals . 2. Where Butkus was pure force, Sayers personified athletic grace. [1] That didn't keep Butkus or Sayers from becoming winners in life. 29, 2015 11:45 a.m. At the time, the NFL didn't have wild-cards or playoffs. "While I was at a restaurant, my attorney called and read the deal and said the Bears were going to draft me," Butkus said. Considered by many to be the greatest return specialist in NFL history, Hester set a league record with 19 kick return TDs in eight seasons with the Bears. 53 and 61 choices in trades with the Ravens and Panthers, respectively. I believe that person was Charley Casserly. Welcome to Washington | Eric Bieniemy Special. Alex Marvez and co-host Elliot Harrison interviewed Mike Ditka on SiriusXM NFL Radio, FIFA World Cup - Best Goals from Every Angle, Draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, FOX SPORTS, SPEED, SPEED.COM & 2023 Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. 50 years ago, Bears landed Butkus & Sayers in same draft - but the wins never followed. share. 224 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Richard Alvin Petitbon. Then you start watching him run and nobody could tackle him. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. But in 1963, the Bears were NFL champions after a two-decade drought. Hester spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Bears from 2006-13, becoming the NFL's most prolific return specialist. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 2023 1st round draft pick Emmanuel Forbes took some time to talk with Julie Donaldson at the Commanders Draft Party in National Harbor, Md, Julie Donaldson catches up with 2022 draft picks Sam Howell and Jahan Dotson at the Commanders Draft Party in National Harbor, Md, GM Martin Mayhew and head coach Ron Rivera met with members of the media following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Latest on SAF Richie Petitbon including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on NFL.com . Illinois (Champaign, IL) IOL; 6-4; 308; 2019 - 2020 . Josh Kendall considers taking offensive lineman Peter Skoronski at No. Richie Petitbon has never won a Super Bowl. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. With the 10 players they selected in this year's draft, the Bears filled needs, added talent and depth to their roster and moved closer to contending for a championship. The story was first reported by Matt Zenitz at AL.com. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. First, there were no pre-draft preparatory events like the NFL Scouting Combine or Pro Days for general managers, coaches and scouts to attend en masse. We are just over 24 hours away from . Petitbon first attended Loyola University New Orleans on a track and field scholarship and left after his freshman year to attend Tulane. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. ET. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. After last season's tumultuous 8-9 record , this offseason . Petitbon also spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Bears from 1959-68, earning four Pro Bowl trips while starting 132 of 136 games played. "I don't think anybody was ever equal to Sayers in some of the things he did," Wetoska said.