Player Info

Richard Dent

Former NFL All-Pro Defensive End

Career Highlights: Richard Dent was one of the NFL’s most intimidating defensive ends throughout his 14-year NFL career…An eighth round draft pick out of Tennessee State, Dent immediately made an impact for the Chicago Bears as he played in every game as a rookie, even starting three…Chicago’s defenses of the mid-to-late 1980s ranks as one of the best of all-time...Dent, a pass-rushing force, was a dominant player on a dominant defense…In 1984, his second year in the league, he recorded a team record 17.5 sacks which was also the most of any defender in the NFC…He was named to the first of his four Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro and All-NFC honors as well…This was the beginning of a remarkable 10-year period during which Dent recorded 10 or more sacks in eight of the next 10 seasons including five consecutive (1984-88)…In the 1985 season, Dent and the Bears had one of the most spectacular seasons in NFL history, finishing with a 15-1 record…In the two playoff games against the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams prior to the Super Bowl, Dent had a combined total of nine tackles and 4.5 sacks…The Bears then trounced the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX…Dent was named the Super Bowl MVP, as he posted three tackles, 1.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and blocked a pass…In 1986 season, Dent registered 11.5 sacks, 7.5 of which came during the final seven games…Dent spent 10 years with the Bears (1983-93, again in 1995), then played for the San Francisco 49ers (1994), Indianapolis Colts (1996) and Philadelphia Eagles (1997)…He retired with career statistics including 137.5 sacks, of which 124.5 came during his first stint with the Bears from 1983-93)…At the time of his retirement, his 137.5 sacks ranked him third in NFL history behind Reggie White and Bruce Smith…He also had eight interceptions which he returned for 89 yards and one touchdown and recovered 13 fumbles…Dent was twice name First-Team All-Pro (1984, 1985), twice Second-Team All-Pro (1988, 1990), five times All-NFC selection (1984, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1993) and won two Super Bowl rings (XX, XXIX)…Dent, who has been nominated several times for Pro Football Hall of Fame, remains a strong candidate for future enshrinement…Dent was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on February 15, 2008.

Updated: May 2009
Courtesy NBC

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