The Bears boast a storied linebacker legacy. ChicagoBears.com invites you to test your knowledge about the position with the following trivia quiz (answers below):
1. Which former linebacker was voted to a Bears-record 10 Pro Bowls?
A) Dick Butkus
B) Bill George
C) Mike Singletary
D) Brian Urlacher
2. Hunter Hillenmeyer joined the Bears after being selected by which team in the draft?
A) Falcons
B) Packers
C) Titans
D) Vikings
3. Which linebacker was the last Bears player to wear No. 54 before Brian Urlacher?
A) Ron Cox
B) Tom Hicks
C) Rico McDonald
D) Vinson Smith
4. Which former Bears linebacker is currently the mayor of Palatine, Ill.?
A) Rosevelt Colvin
B) Bobbie Howard
C) Jim Morrissey
D) Jim Schwantz
5. How did Brian Urlacher help lift the Bears to a comeback win over the Redskins in 2001?
A) He returned a fumble 90 yards for a TD
B) He caught a TD pass on a fake field goal
C) He caused a fumble that was returned for a TD
D) He returned an interception 10 yards for a TD
6. Which Bears player was credited with inventing the middle linebacker position?
A) George Connor
B) Joe Fortunato
C) Bill George
D) Larry Morris
7. Who holds the record for most career interceptions by a Bears linebacker?
A) Doug Buffone
B) Dick Butkus
C) Ron Rivera
D) Brian Urlacher
8. The top linebackers at the high school, college and pro levels are annually given an award named after which former Bears star?
A) Dick Butkus
B) Bill George
C) Mike Singletary
D) Brian Urlacher
9. Which Bears linebacker did NOT wear No. 55?
A) Doug Buffone
B) Lance Briggs
C) Warrick Holdman
D) Otis Wilson
10. When Brian Urlacher made his first NFL start three games into his rookie season in 2000, which injured veteran did he replace?
A) Bryan Cox
B) Ron Cox
C) Lemanski Hall
D) Barry Minter
11. Who holds the Bears record for most defensive TDs by a linebacker with six?
A) Lance Briggs
B) Dick Butkus
C) Bill George
D) Brian Urlacher
12. Which linebacker was NOT selected in the first round of the draft by the Bears?
A) Wilber Marshall
B) Mike Singletary
C) Brian Urlacher
D) Otis Wilson
Answers
1-C) Mike Singletary was voted to a Bears-record 10 Pro Bowls during an illustrious 13-year Hall of Fame career with the team from 1981-92.
2-B) Hunter Hillenmeyer was selected by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2003 draft, but he failed to make Green Bay's 53-man roster and immediately joined the Bears.
3-C) Rico McDonald was the last Bears player to wear No. 54 before Brian Urlacher. McDonald was with the team in 1998-99; Urlacher arrived in the first round of the 2000 draft.
4-D) Jim Schwantz, who played with the Bears in 1992 and then again in 1998, is currently the mayor of Palatine. Schwantz grew up in the area, attending Fremd High School in Palatine.
5-B) Brian Urlacher helped lead the Bears to a 20-15 win over the Redskins on Dec. 23, 2001 by catching a 27-yard TD pass from Brad Maynard on a fake field goal.
6-C) Bill George was credited with inventing the middle linebacker position when he dropped off the line of scrimmage from his "middle guard" position in 1954.
7-A) Doug Buffone's 24 interceptions are the most by a Bears linebacker. Brian Urlacher and Dick Butkus are tied for second with 22 apiece.
8-A) Butkus Awards are annually presented to the top high school, college and pro linebackers in the nation by the Butkus Foundation.
9-C) Warrick Holdman wore No. 53 during five seasons with the Bears from 1999-2003.
10-D) Brian Urlacher made his first NFL start in place of injured veteran Barry Minter on Sept. 17, 2000 against the New Giants. Urlacher recorded 13 tackles and one sack in the game.
11-A) Lance Briggs holds the Bears record for most defensive touchdowns by a linebacker with six.
12-B) Mike Singletary was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft.
