Four of the greatest Bears safeties from the past and present will gather together on stage for a special panel discussion at the Bears100 Celebration June 7-9 in Rosemont.
The quartet will consist of former Bears Gary Fencik, Doug Plank and Mike Brown and current star Eddie Jackson. The event commemorating the franchise's 100th season will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
Fencik spent 12 seasons with the Bears from 1976-87 and remains their all-time leader with 38 interceptions. The Barrington native was voted to two Pro Bowls, named first-team All Pro three times and was an integral member of the famed 1985 Super Bowl championship defense.
Plank was selected by the Bears in the 12th round of the 1975 draft out of Ohio State. Known for his monster hits, recording 15 interceptions while appearing in 101 games with 96 starts over eight seasons in Chicago.
Starting side-by-side in the Bears secondary from 1976-82, Fencik and Plank were two of the most feared safeties of their era.
Brown was chosen by the Bears in the second round of the 2000 draft. He was named first-team All Pro in 2001 when he returned interceptions for touchdowns in overtime in back-to-back wins over the 49ers and Browns. The Nebraska product was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2005 and played on three division championship teams and one conference champion. Brown appeared in 100 games with 99 starts over nine seasons with the Bears, registering 17 interceptions and scoring seven defensive touchdowns.
Jackson was selected by the Bears in the fourth round of the 2017 draft out of Alabama. His five career defensive touchdowns are tied for the most by a player in his first two NFL seasons (with the Jets' Erik McMillan in 1988-89).
Last year Jackson recorded a career-high six interceptions and scored three touchdowns on two interception returns and a fumble return. He was named NFC defensive player of the month for November after he helped lead the Bears to a 4-0 record, scoring three touchdowns while compiling 15 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and four pass breakups.
Other panels at the Bears100 Celebration will include Hall of Fame middle linebackers Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher; quarterbacks Jim McMahon and Mitchell Trubisky; and members of the 1985 Super Bowl champions.
The Bears100 Celebration will feature the ultimate gathering of fans and players. The entire 2019 team and coaching staff, along with Bears Hall of Famers and alumni, are scheduled to attend. The weekend will include autograph sessions, photo opportunities, panels, memorabilia and merchandise sales, interactive games, kids activities and a walk-though Bears history zone.
Click here to purchase tickets to the Bears100 Celebration.
