Bears great Duerson is dead at 50

Former Bears and Notre Dame safety Dave Duerson, a four-time Pro Bowler who was a key part of Buddy Ryan's "46" defense and the 1985 Super Bowl championship team, has died in Miami at the age of 50.

The cause of death has yet to be determined.

Duerson was a star on one of the greatest defensive units in the history of the NFL (though some- including Yours Truly- would disagree with ESPN"s respective rankings of Number One and Number Two), and one of the greatest teams in the history of professional football.

His death at such an early age comes as a shock to Bears fans everywhere.