Cal Bears By The Numbers in the NFL Draft
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11 players drafted out of Cal have been named All-Pros, and one has entered the Hallowed Halls of the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The latter number will certainly change in the coming years.
Drafted in 1938, receiver Perry Schwartz would become the Bears first alumni named an All-Pro. Playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers (no, not those Brooklyn Dodgers), Schwartz earned the honors twice, in 1940 and 1941. In 1942, tackle Lee Artoe was named All-Pro while playing with the Chicago Bears.
Les Richter, the Bears’ first first-round pick, was a five-time All-Pro over his nine-year career, earning first-team honors in 1955 and 1956, as well as a spot on the second-team in 1957, 1958, and 1959. In 2011, Richter was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a senior candidate, the lone Bear truly enshrined in gold.
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Linebacker Hardy Nickerson was a First-Team All-Pro in 1993 and 1997, and a Second-Teamer in 1996 and 1999. Tight end Tony Gonzalez earned a place on 10 All-Pro teams, being on the first team in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008, and 2012. He was also on the second team in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007. Considered the best tight end in NFL history, Gonzalez will certainly join Richter in the Hall of Fame soon.
Center Jeremy Newberry was an All-Pro in 2002, and cornerback Deltha O’Neal was a first-teamer in 2005. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was a four-time All-Pro, with First-Team honors in 2008 and 2010, and Second-Team honors in 2006 and 2009. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a First-Team player in 2011 and 2014, and a Second-Team member in 2012.
Running back Marshawn Lynch has been on each team once, with his First-Team appearance coming in 2012, and his Second-Team appearance coming in 2014. Center Alex Mack was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2013.
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