Akiem Hicks 2021 Donruss/Panini NFL Card - Chicago Bears Defensive Tackle

Akiem Hicks, from my perspective, has been a name that I have heard time and time again but never really knew too much about. He's sort of an under the radar player, but I was well aware he was an above average player.

After a bit of research, I realize he's actually significantly better than I thought he was.

Hicks has been on a handful of teams during his decade long career, and every team he's been on has been known to have some solid defense. Hicks entered the league in 2012 after being drafted by the Saints. Since then Hicks has been a member of the Patriots and the Bears.

Hicks almost reached the Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2015. Then Hicks joined the Bears in 2016 where he enjoyed six great years in the Windy City. Easily his best years as a pro. Hicks had three straight years with at least seven sacks (2016-2018) and reached his first and only Pro Bowl with the Bears. He also was considered a 'Top 100' player in 2019.

Arguably one of Akiem's most impressive accomplishments, is the fact that in just six seasons, Akiem was named one of the '100 Greatest Bears of All Time' (#75) in 2019! The Bears are a pretty historical, storied franchise, learning this about Akiem is pretty impressive and surprising! Bears fans must love this guy.

Hicks is simply a beast of a defensive tackle. A monstrous, extremely powerful force that can do it all up front. Space eater, run stopper, sack getter. Just a well balanced defensive player that seemed to be a core piece of the Bears d-line. I remember during the Nagy-Trubisky era that a major reason those Bears teams were good was because of the dominant defense of that time. Hicks, I am glad to learn, must have been a crucial part of that defense.

Recently, Hicks signed a one year contract to re-join Tom Brady down south in Tampa Bay. The Bucs defense is already pretty great, adding Hicks will be scary!

I didn't realize just how great of a player Hicks is when I first got this card here. I appreciate this card way more now! A real Bears legend! And his career is not over yet! He only turns 33 in November, not too old!

Hicks has 40.5 career sacks!

Any Bears fans with some thoughts on Mr. Hicks?

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