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(Pittsburgh)...6'4'', 277...Drafted in 1st Round (6th overall), 1983 … Immediately earned starting left tackle and earned All-Rookie recognition … Anchored offensive line that helped Bears capture six division titles in seven-year span … Team leader that helped Chicago win 10 or more games in a season six times … Paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher every season of career but one … Started at left tackle in three NFC championship games and one Super Bowl … Named Offensive Lineman of the Year, 1986 … First-Team All-Pro twice (1985, 1986) … Second-Team All-Pro, 1987 … All-NFC three times … Voted to two Pro Bowls (1986, 1987) … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of 1980s … Born March 22, 1960 in Conway, Pennsylvania.
Jimbo Covert, a 6’4”, 277-pound tackle out of Pittsburgh, was drafted in the first round (6th player overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He earned the Bears’ starting left tackle position starting all 16 games during his rookie season. Covert’s presence made an immediate impact as he helped clear the path for Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton to gain 1,421 rushing yards and the Bears to lead the entire NFL in rushing. Covert’s efforts earned him All-Rookie honors.
Covert would continue to anchor an offensive line that helped the Bears capture six division titles in seven-year span. As a Bears team Captain, Chicago won 10 or more games in a season six times during his eight-year career. The Bears’ success during Covert’s tenure was largely predicated on a strong rushing attack. They led the National Football League in rushing four straight seasons from 1983 to 1986 and were the NFC’s top rushing team in 1989.
He was able to battle through numerous injuries to start 110 games. Covert started at left tackle in 11 playoff games, three NFC championship games and one Super Bowl. He helped Chicago lead the NFC in points scored during the Bears’ magical 1985 season, which was highlighted by a 15-1 regular-season record. That season culminated in a dominating 46-10 victory over New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
Covert paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in every season of his career but one. He was voted to the Pro Bowl twice (1985 and 1986), was named the NFL’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1985 and the Miller Lite Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1986. He earned consensus First-Team All-Pro honors in 1985 and in 1986 as well as Second-Team All-Pro honors in 1987. Covert was also an All NFC selection four times (1985, 1986, 1987 and 1990) and named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of 1980s.
Games Played:
1983 Chicago...................... 16
1984 Chicago...................... 16
1985 Chicago...................... 15
1986 Chicago...................... 16
1987 Chicago........................ 9
1988 Chicago........................ 9
1989 Chicago...................... 15
1990 Chicago...................... 15
Career Total........................ 111
Championship Games
1984 NFC – San Francisco 49ers 23, Chicago Bears 0
Covert started at left tackle.
1985 NFC – Chicago Bears 24, Los Angeles Rams 0
Covert started at left tackle and had one fumble recovery.
1988 NFC – San Francisco 49ers 28, Chicago Bears 3
Super Bowls
Super Bowl XX – Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10
All-League Teams
All-Pro: 1985 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN) · 1986 (AP, PFWA, SN, PW)
All-Pro Second Team: 1987 (NEA)
All-NFC: 1985 (UPI) · 1986 (UPI, PW) · 1987 (UPI)
All-NFC Second Team: 1990 (UPI)
(2) – 1986, 1987
Awards and Honors
· 1980s All-Decade Team
· 1983 All-Rookie Team (PFWA)
· 1986 Offensive Lineman of the Year
Year-by-Year Team Records
1983 Chicago Bears.................... 8-8-0 (3rd)
1984 Chicago Bears................. 10-6-0 (1st)
1985 Chicago Bears................. 15-1-0 (1st)
1986 Chicago Bears................. 14-2-0 (1st)
1987 Chicago Bears................. 11-4-0 (1st)
1988 Chicago Bears................. 12-4-0 (1st)
1989 Chicago Bears................... 6-10-0 (4th)
1990 Chicago Bears................. 11-5-0 (1st)
(Division Finish in Parentheses)
Qualified for Postseason in Bold
Full Name: James Paul Covert
Birthdate: March 22, 1960
Birthplace: Conway, Pennsylvania
High School: Freedom (PA)
Pro Career: 8 seasons, 111 games
Drafted: 1st round (6th player overall) in 1983 by Chicago Bears
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