CHICAGO – Saint Francis head football coach Chris Villarrial is in the process of turning around the Red Flash, but in a prior life he was an NFL All-Pro offensive lineman. Grizzly Detail, a blog run by NBC Chicago, named Villarrial as the 15th best draft pick in the history of the Chicago Bears organization.
 
For its countdown, the blog gave just two criteria. A player must have played for the Bears for at least five seasons, and those selected in lower rounds had an advantage. Villarrial fit the bill in both cases. A three-time All-America selection from Indiana (Pa.), Villarrial went to the NFL Combine and promptly set the record in the bench press. The Bears grabbed him in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Villarrial was honored last weekend by IUP as an inductee into the school's Hall of Fame.
 
Villarrial's selection as one of the top draft choices comes with a franchise that is older than the draft itself. The Bears were established in 1919, and the NFL Draft began in 1936.
 
"When you're talking about such an historic franchise, it's a great honor to be recognized in that manner," Villarrial said. "It's very humbling to have the opportunity to represent the Bears in such a positive manner."
 
A two-time All-Pro with the Bears, Villarrial blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his seasons in Chicago. In 2001, the Bears won the NFC Central Division with a 13-3 record. Villarrial and his line mates allowed an NFL-low 17 sacks that year as Chicago finished the regular season tied for the second-best record in the league.
 
Richard Dent was deemed to be the best draft choice in franchise history. Other notable players included Mike Singletary (No. 2), Dick Butkus (No. 8), Sid Luckman (No. 9) and Mike Ditka (No. 11).