Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Really enjoyed your coverage last week of the Bears' Super Bowl XX reunion. Which member of the 1985 Bears would you say was the most underrated?
Dave G.
Oceanside, California
I'm going to go with defensive tackle Steve McMichael. "Mongo" played on a defense that featured three Hall of Famers in Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton and Richard Dent and on an '85 Bears team that sent a franchise-record nine players to the Pro Bowl. But McMichael, who later went to the Pro Bowl in 1986 and 1987, was an extremely valuable member of what many consider to be the best defense in NFL history. He did the dirty work inside and was also an excellent pass rusher; he recorded eight sacks in 1985 and ranks second on the Bears' all-time sack list with 92.5, an incredibly high number for a defensive tackle. A couple days before Super Bowl XX, Patriots Hall of Fame guard John Hannah told reporters: "Dan Hampton, William Perry and Dent are all great. To be honest, McMichael is the best of all."
Are there any former Bears players participating in the Super Bowl, other than Greg Olsen, Charles Tillman, Jared Allen and Ron Rivera? As a diehard fan, I like to see guys that have Bears roots in the big game.
Eric S.
Longview, Washington
The only player you didn't mention is Panthers defensive end Mario Addison, who appeared in four games with the Bears as a rookie in 2011. He spent time with the Colts and Redskins in 2012 before joining the Panthers later that same year. There are no former Bears on the Broncos roster. (Don't be fooled by Brandon Marshall and Chris Harris; they are not the same players who were with the Bears!)
Who is the oldest living former Bears player?
Jamie S.
Mount Airy, North Carolina
Larry Brink, a defensive end from Northern Illinois who played for the Bears in 1954, is believed to be the team's oldest living former player at the age of 92. Brink was a three-time All-Pro with the Los Angeles Rams from 1950-52.
