Bears first-round draft pick Colston Loveland will rock #84—here’s the number’s Chicago legacy

There are a small handful of uniform numbers that all but define Chicago sports.

For the Bears, you’ve got Walter Payton’s #34.

For the Bulls, you’ve got Michael Jordan’s #23.

For the Cubs, you’ve got Ernie Banks' #14.

For the Blackhawks, you’ve got Patrick Kane’s #88.

For the White Sox, you’ve got, um, frankly, not much.

But there's a new tight end in town who hopes you'll someday add #84 to the discussion.

By the Number

Bears TE Colston Loveland will wear number 84 pic.twitter.com/hsg78Z6ljC
— Dave (@dave_bfr) April 26, 2025

It’s not known whether Bears rookie Colston Loveland chose or was assigned the number 84, but one thing is for certain: He wasn’t getting his college number, 18, as that was previously chosen (or assigned) to one Caleb Williams. And you don't usurp a number from a QB1 without a whole lot of money changing hands.

But the digit has a Bears pedigree—admittedly, it’s not a huge pedigree, but a pedigree nonetheless. So let's travel back in time and revisit Chicago's most notable #84.

Monster Bash

Brian Baschnagel #Bears #NFL pic.twitter.com/Z1ID4xEuBH
— kelly Hammond (@kellyHammo71824) October 19, 2024

A sure-handed slot-maven out of THE Ohio State University, Brian Baschnagel was arguably the Chicago Bears’ most reliable wide receiver between 1976-1984.

Bash—who played his entire career in the Windy City—started 71 of his 129 games, racking up 2,024 yards and nine touchdowns. He had a career year in 1981, posting 554 yards and three tuddies.

He'll never get a bust in Canton, but for Bears fans of a certain vintage, well, he'll always have a place in our hearts.

If It’s Good Enough For The Hawks…

It bears mention (pun intended) that Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi was briefly a member of the #84 club, before randomly switching to #31.

Hopefully Chicago’s newest #84, like the aforementioned net-minder, will help his team bring some hardware to Illinois.