Jim Covert

The consensus All-American who anchored the line for the 1985 Super Bowl champions and held Lawrence Taylor sackless three times.

James Paul 'Jimbo' Covert, born March 22, 1960, is an American former professional football player who dominated as an offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears across eight seasons. Before his NFL stardom, he played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, earning consensus All-American honors and playing alongside future stars like Dan Marino. Selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft by head coach Mike Ditka, Covert immediately anchored the left tackle position. His technical mastery was so profound that offensive line coach Joe Moore described him as 'so good, it's like watching a clinic film.' Covert's career culminated in leading the Bears to a Super Bowl XX victory and earning induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Quick Facts

Position: Offensive tackle
Born: 22 March 1960
Birthplace: Conway, Pennsylvania, U.S.
High school: Freedom (Freedom, Pennsylvania)
College: Pittsburgh (1978–1982)
Draft year: 1983
Draft round: 1
Former teams: Chicago Bears (1983, 1990)

Lore & Background

Covert's journey to NFL stardom began with a pivotal switch from defensive line to offensive tackle in the spring of 1980, urged by coach Joe Moore. This decision transformed him into an immovable force; as a starter for his final three Pitt seasons, he surrendered just three sacks total, and zero during his senior year when he became a consensus All-American. The 1985 Chicago Bears season stands as the peak of his professional career. While the '46 Defense' stole headlines, Covert's dominance on the offensive line was equally critical, helping the team lead the league in rushing for four consecutive seasons from 1983 to 1986.

His specific battles against the New York Giants and Hall of Fame pass rusher Lawrence Taylor became legendary; Covert faced Taylor three times and held him without a sack on every occasion. In 1985, he was named consensus All-Pro, made first-team All-NFL, selected to his first Pro Bowl, and awarded the NFLPA NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Reader's Guide

Fans looking at Jim Covert's career should note the sheer efficiency of his eight-year tenure (1983–1990) with the Chicago Bears. He was selected sixth overall in the 1983 draft and instantly became a starter, earning UPI All-Rookie honors. His accolades are dense: named to an All-Pro team three straight years (1985–1987), a first- or second-team All-NFC selection four times, and a consensus All-NFL pick in both 1985 and 1986. He was selected to two Pro Bowls, specifically in 1985 and 1986.

His dominance extended beyond individual awards; he helped the Bears win six NFL Central Division titles and play in three NFC Championship games. After a back surgery in 1991 forced him onto injured reserve, he retired in March 1992. His post-football life saw success in healthcare sales and leadership at The Institute for Transfusion Medicine, but his football legacy was cemented on January 15, 2020, when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class.

Did You Know?

Three times Covert faced New York Giants pass rusher Lawrence Taylor in the 1980s, and he held Taylor without a sack on all three occasions.
Dan Marino recalled that during games with Covert on the line, 'my uniform never got dirty' because Covert protected him so effectively.