It was a team littered with characters like William ‘Refrigerator’ Perry and quarterback Jim McMahan, and superstars like Walter Payton and Mike Singletary.
That season culminated in Super Bowl XX with arguably the most dominating defensive performance ever. Leading the way was Tennessee State University’s Richard Dent.
Dent led the wrecking crew that left the Patriots looking hapless. Dent had 1 ½ sacks, forced two fumbles, blocked a pass, and practically lived in the New England backfield, in what was a coming out party for Dent, a seventh-round draft pick 1984.
Despite a stellar career at TSU, many thought he was too small for the NFL. At 6-foot-5, he played at around 240 pounds at TSU. However, he had devastating quickness and athleticism, which allowed him to rush the passer.
When he got to Chicago the Bears were able to put some weight on him (265 pounds), and he maintained his speed and quickness. Dent would go on to play 15 seasons and amass 137.5 sacks. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
