Richard Dent Enshrined in Canton

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 7, 2011 3:12PM

The Pro Football Hall of Fame added another of the 1985 Bears to its list of gridiron immortals with the enshrinement of defensive end Richard Dent. There were times when Dent and Bears fans didn't think he'd ever make it to Canton, OH; Dent finally made the Hall in his eighth year of eligibility, didn't make the top ten in voting once and failed to make the top 15 twice. Those votes were both a testament to just how talented those Bears defenses of the 80s were (most pro football experts will tell you that Dent's HOF linemate Dan Hampton was the best defensive lineman on those Bears teams) and reinforced Dent's perceptions during his playing days that he was often taken for granted, despite racking up 137.5 sacks in his career, leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 1985, being named a five time All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler and MVP of Super Bowl XX.

In his speech, Dent thanked everyone from his college coaches to his family and friends who encouraged him to follow his dreams and made cases for defensive tackle Steve McMichael and offensive lineman Jimbo Covert to join him, Mike Singletary, Walter Payton and Hampton in Canton. Two notable omissions during Dent's speech were Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan, head coach and defensive coordinator of those dominant Bears teams.

Dent's speech is below.