Hello, Chicago Bears Fans! Today, I come not to bury the most overrated player in Chicago Bears history, but to praise him. Well, at least to praise him while also admitting, yeah, he’s the most overrated player for the Chicago Bears of all time. What player might that be, you ask? Well, it is a player you, as a Chicago Bears fan, are undoubtedly familiar with. It may be a player you rooted for fondly when he played for the Bears, or a player you look back on with fondness when contemplating the amazing
history of the Chicago Bears team. I, too, feel that way about this player. But the fact remains, as much as we love and adore this player steeped in Chicago Bears lore, he is, objectively speaking, overrated.
So let us consider the career of the most overrated Chicago Bear in franchise history, William “the Refrigerator” Perry. In order to appreciate how he is overrated, we must consider how he is more associated with the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl champions than, well, most of the great players on that team who actually helped the Bears win that Super Bowl. Just on the defensive line, we have Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, and Steve “Mongo” McMichael – all of whom are Hall of Fame-worthy players. Yet it is the “Refrigerator” who has traditionally been the ‘face’ of the Bears’ defensive line, particularly given his small role as an offensive player. The fact that he scored a touchdown in the 1985 Super Bowl should be more of an odd anecdote rather than the titular image of the Bears’ victory in that game. And yet, the Fridge scoring a touchdown in the 1985 Super Bowl is one of the most iconic plays in Chicago Bears history.
But let’s consider the Fridge’s actual career as a defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears. Let’s recall that, despite being the first-round selection of Ditka in the 1985 draft, Buddy Ryan, the architect of the 46 defense, called Perry a “wasted draft pick.” Perry was more regarded for Ditka using him at fullback and as a lead blocker for Walter Payton in the 1985 season. In fact, he rushed for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in his rookie season. While Perry would prove himself to Ryan through his play during the 85’ season, earning his playing time, his play would be up and down over his ten-year career in the NFL. He struggled with maintaining a playing weight that would allow his athleticism to shine.
Despite his first-round draft pedigree and his prominence as a player on the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl team, Perry would never earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors as a Chicago Bear or with any other team in his career. Despite playing eight seasons with the Bears, he would amass only 28.5 sacks over his entire career as a Chicago Bear. Not a bad total for a defensive tackle by any stretch of the imagination, but also not a career that lived up to the hype of “The Fridge” mythos. As a Bears fan, I have a soft spot in my heart for William “the Refrigerator” Perry and always will. But I am forced to conclude that Perry is the most overrated Chicago Bear in franchise history.
Do you agree? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!
EDITOR: A scheduling glitch prevented this one from publishing earlier this month, which is why we’re doubling up today. Thanks to everyone who wrote these up in June, and especially to the WCG members for commenting.
