BY Joseph Phillips, Crusader Sports Editor
Known for his uncanny ability to break tackles and duck defenders, Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery is a force to be reckoned with, coming out of the backfield in the Black and Blue division of the NFC North.
Montgomery was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft after playing college football for Iowa State University. He was named a consensus First-Team All-Big 12 Player back in 2017.
During his high school years, Montgomery, a prep dual threat at quarterback at the time, rushed for 91 touchdowns and over 6,000 plus yards for his high school career.
In 2015, Montgomery was named the Division III Ohio Player of the Year, as well as the Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year. His senior season rushing total of 2,707 was good enough for the 21st best single season performance in Ohio high school history.
Montgomery also posted a respectable seven 200-yard games and three 300-yard games, including a 373-yard performance.
He was able to produce that many yards, in spite having a difficult childhood. The tough nose running back out of Cincinnati did not know his father growing up. His mother moved the family numerous times around the city of Cincinnati due to economic hardship.
According to his bio, Montgomery remembers using the oven for heat, and boiling water collected from gas stations in the bathtub.
While he was at Iowa State fighting to overcome his life struggles, Montgomery was also chosen as a semi-finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
Currently, Montgomery is having a successful 2020 campaign for the Bears. He is one of three NFC running backs with 700-plus rushing yards (760) and 300-plus receiving yards (333) this season.
With two games remaining to play on the schedule, Montgomery hopes to lead the Bears to the 2020-21 NFC Playoffs.
Joseph R. Phillips is a Chicago native, who has been a sports writer for over 15 years. He also hosts the SC Media News and Sports Network Q & A radio show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected].
