Legendary Bears Lineman and Walter Payton Favorite Jimbo Covert Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
By Jerry Trotta
One of the NFL's most feared and tenacious offensive linemen of the 1980s received the call for the Hall on Wednesday.
Jimbo Covert, who spent his entire nine-year career with the Chicago Bears from 1983-1991, has been elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jimbo Covert, an anchor of the offensive line for the Super Bowl XX champion #Bears, gets the call from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. https://t.co/Xf3fudP9qs
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 15, 2020
Covert was a world-beater the moment he took to the gridiron after the Bears selected him with the No. 6 overall pick of the 1983 draft.
He was twice a first-team All-Pro, and was a significant catalyst in Chicago's dominance in the late 1980's -- where they won six divisional crowns, one conference title, and one Super Bowl.
The Pittsburgh product was part of an OL group that helped the Bears lead the league in rushing for four consecutive seasons. It's no surprise that run started the year that Covert was drafted, and it's equally understandable why he was one of Walter Payton's favorite offensive linemen.
Just got of the phone with Jimbo Covert. He was one of @walterpayton fav Olineman. I’m so happy he’s getting in @ProFootballHOF. Very deserving of the honor. #Bears
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) January 15, 2020
This was a thoroughly deserved honor for Covert, and it's virtually impossible to hold any rebuttals against his nomination.