The Chicago Bears have been blessed with several great safeties over the decades. Richie Petitbon was a star in the 1960s. Mark Carrier was brilliant early in his career during the 1990s. Mike Brown was often called the heart and soul of the great defenses in the 2000s. Now of course they have the rising star that is Eddie Jackson. However, some to this day would argue that Gary Fencik was the best the franchise ever had.
The two-time Pro Bowler was the leader and star of the Bears secondary during their epic run throughout the 1980s. One that saw them achieve the absolute pinnacle of success with three-straight #1 rankings and a Super Bowl championship in 1985. To this day, many consider that '85 unit to be the best there ever was. Fencik certainly played a big part.
He had five interceptions that season and also added a sack of Phil Simms in their playoff win over the Bears. He retired with 40 interceptions in his Chicago career. Now he plans to be part of the festivities at the Bears 100th anniversary celebration this weekend in Rosemont. Before that he spoke with Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, and Jim Miller on All-Access to talk about his career.
That's when an interesting question was raised.
Gary Fencik revealed when he felt the '85 Bears foundation was set
The question came from Miller. When did Fencik realize something great was about to be built in Chicago? His answer was a fascinating one. Most would've considered the arrival of Buddy Ryan as defensive coordinator in 1978 as the turning point. Or maybe the drafting of future leader Mike Singletary in 1981. Perhaps the massive infusion of talent from the 1983 draft including Richard Dent and Dave Duerson?
All of those would've been great choices. However, Fencik believes the true spark that lit the fuse on the rocket came in the spring of 1979.
"But it really wasn't until Buddy Ryan...actually, you know what? I tell people this and I think it's true. When Dan Hampton was drafted in the 4th pick of the 1st round, our team changed. Both offensively and defensively. Dan was a game-changer. That was the beginning of the fillers of, you know, the great defense that ended up winning a Super Bowl in '85."
Hampton, affectionately known as "Danimal" by Bears fans, was the work of former GM Jim Finks. He'd traded former Pro Bowl linebacker Wally Chambers to Tampa Bay for their 1st round pick in '79. That pick became the 4th overall and the Bears grabbed Hampton out of Arkansas. Just like that, they'd found the lynchpin to one of the best defensive lines ever.
What made him so dominant was his versatility.
Hampton is one of the only players in NFL history to reach a Pro Bowl at two different positions. He went as both a defensive end and a defensive tackle. That versatility gave offenses fits for over a decade. One in which he accumulated 65 sacks (it was more but the stat wasn't official until 1982). A true legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
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