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Top 10
Top 10: Bears who played Illinois High School Football
With IHSA football kicking off this weekend, we bring back senior writer Larry Mayer's ranking of the top 10 Bears players who played high school football in the same state where they played NFL ball.
![10. Emery Moorehead
The Evanston High School product played eight seasons with the Bears from 1981-88 and was the starting tight end on the famed 1985 championship team.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/hfymvcwklwk2si9bpoq1.jpg)
10. Emery Moorehead
The Evanston High School product played eight seasons with the Bears from 1981-88 and was the starting tight end on the famed 1985 championship team.
![9. Tom Thayer
The Joliet Catholic graduate played guard for eight seasons with the Bears from 1985-92 and was a key member of the offensive line that helped the team win Super Bowl XX.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/qgyx23ffqrzuebmg7rmu.jpg)
9. Tom Thayer
The Joliet Catholic graduate played guard for eight seasons with the Bears from 1985-92 and was a key member of the offensive line that helped the team win Super Bowl XX.
![8. Mike Pyle
A football player and state wrestling champion at New Trier High School, Pyle played center for nine seasons with the Bears from 1961-68 and was part of the 1963 NFL title squad.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/rqyql3a1gjb7bhybzotf.jpg)
8. Mike Pyle
A football player and state wrestling champion at New Trier High School, Pyle played center for nine seasons with the Bears from 1961-68 and was part of the 1963 NFL title squad.
![7. Ed O'Bradovich
The defensive end, who attended Proviso East High School and the University of Illinois, played 10 seasons with the Bears and was an integral member of the 1963 NFL championship team.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/ptbj6jpmsjqiwstcovn2.jpg)
7. Ed O'Bradovich
The defensive end, who attended Proviso East High School and the University of Illinois, played 10 seasons with the Bears and was an integral member of the 1963 NFL championship team.
![6. Gary Fencik
The Barrington High School graduate, who played his entire 12-year NFL career with the Bears, was a two-time Pro Bowler who remains the franchise's all-time leader with 38 interceptions.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/eehgdtlobjdpzgorptqx.jpg)
6. Gary Fencik
The Barrington High School graduate, who played his entire 12-year NFL career with the Bears, was a two-time Pro Bowler who remains the franchise's all-time leader with 38 interceptions.
![5. George Connor
The Chicago native, a linebacker and tackle who attended De La Salle High School, was voted to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1940s and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/tcb5tcdozlmdfbgr8qzd.jpg)
5. George Connor
The Chicago native, a linebacker and tackle who attended De La Salle High School, was voted to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1940s and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.
![4. George Trafton
The Hall of Fame center, who attended Oak Park High School, was selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1920s and was voted first-team All-Pro six times.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/bi3eggjfsh0grtfeatb3.jpg)
4. George Trafton
The Hall of Fame center, who attended Oak Park High School, was selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1920s and was voted first-team All-Pro six times.
![3. George Halas
Papa Bear, who grew up in Chicago and attended Crane High School, was better known as the Bears founder, owner and coach. But the Hall of Famer was selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1920s as a player.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/nxr6ax3hzi2ac32e8kvg.jpg)
3. George Halas
Papa Bear, who grew up in Chicago and attended Crane High School, was better known as the Bears founder, owner and coach. But the Hall of Famer was selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1920s as a player.
![2. Red Grange
The Hall of Famer, who went to Wheaton High School (now Wheaton Warrenville South High School), helped popularize pro football when he joined the Bears in 1925 after an illustrious career at the University of Illinois.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/yhwumm85kwuoexs0budi.jpg)
2. Red Grange
The Hall of Famer, who went to Wheaton High School (now Wheaton Warrenville South High School), helped popularize pro football when he joined the Bears in 1925 after an illustrious career at the University of Illinois.
![1. Dick Butkus
A Chicago native who attended Chicago Vocational High School and the University of Illinois, Butkus was selected to eight Pro Bowls and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bears/tsayldj9hhht7o0mrmqb.jpg)
1. Dick Butkus
A Chicago native who attended Chicago Vocational High School and the University of Illinois, Butkus was selected to eight Pro Bowls and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.