Jim Covert

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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.

In Their Own Story

The wind off Lake Michigan seemed to vanish when Jim Covert locked onto his man. On a crucial third down in 1985, he watched Lawrence Taylor's stance, read the hips, and exploded forward before the snap was fully delivered. 'Jimbo is so good,' Moore later recalled, noting that after plays, he'd often turn to see Covert and his opponent ten or fifteen yards downfield. This geometry held firm throughout the 1985 season, where Dan Marino's former teammate at Pitt, now a Bears legend, would recall games where 'my uniform never got dirty' because Covert controlled the line of scrimmage so completely. The team surged from 22nd in total offense in 1982 to second in 1985, with rushing leading the league for four straight years starting in 1983. By January 1986, this precision culminated in a Super Bowl XX victory, where Covert's protection ensured the offense remained efficient against New England. Even after his last season in 1990, his legacy endured as he held Taylor sackless three times and was named to the NFL All-Decade Team.

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?

• Covert switched from defensive line to offensive tackle in the spring of 1980, a move that led him to both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• During his senior year at Pitt, Covert surrendered zero sacks while earning consensus All-American honors.
• 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.
• Covert was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class on January 15, 2020.