Wildcats in the NFL

Former Arizona Wildcats lineman Britton re-signs with Bears, to be honored by high school alma mater

By Javier Morales

Posted on September 10, 2014

[rps-paypal]

[ezcol_1half id=”” class=”” style=””]

Former Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Eben Britton re-signed with injury-depleted Chicago today, allowing him the opportunity to continue his six-year NFL career.

That certainly is an honor for Britton, a second-round draft pick in 2009, but it’s not the only recent rewarding development in his football existence.

Britton’s high school alma mater — John Burroughs in Burbank, Calif. — will retire Britton’s No. 77 at halftime of a game on Oct. 31. Britton also wore No. 77 during his Arizona career from 2006-2009.

Chicago’s reacquistion of Britton, 26, increases the number of active Arizona Wildcats in the NFL to 11. He was one of the team’s final cuts Aug. 30, a move the Bears’ brass described as hard to do.

Britton is versatile enough to fill the void left by injured right guard Matt Slausen and center Roberto Garza. Britton has played tackle, guard and center at different times in his NFL career.

[/ezcol_1half]

[ezcol_1half_end id=”” class=”” style=””]

#Burroughs alum Eben Britton resigns with "da Bears!" His JB #77 jersey will be retired on October 31 at halftime. @CoachKnoop @JB_Indians

— myBurbank Sports (@myBurbankSports) September 10, 2014

[/ezcol_1half_end]

ARIZONA’S OFFENSIVE LINEMEN DRAFTED IN THE NFL
Eben Britton is one of 14 such linemen in the history of the program. He is the third-highest taken in the draft.

FIRST ROUND
(26) Bill Lueck, guard, Green Bay (1968-74), Philadelphia (1975)
(27) John Fina, offensive tackle, Buffalo (1992-2001), Arizona (2002-04)

SECOND ROUND
Eben Britton, offensive tackle, Jacksonville (2009-12), Chicago (2013-)

THIRD ROUND
Frank Middleton, offensive guard, Tampa Bay (1997-2000), Oakland (2001-04)
Glenn Parker, offensive tackle, Buffalo (1990-96), Kansas City (1997-99), New York Giants (2000-01)

FOURTH ROUND
Edwin Mulitalo, offensive tackle, Baltimore (1999-2006), Detroit (2007-08)
John Mellekas, offensive tackle, Chicago (1956-61), San Francisco (1962), Philadelphia (1963)

FIFTH ROUND
Yusuf Scott, offensive guard, Arizona Cardinals (1999-2001)

SIXTH ROUND
Makoa Freitas, offensive line, Indianapolis (2003-04)
Hicham El-Mashtoub, center, Houston (1995-96), Tennessee (1997)

SEVENTH ROUND
Manuia Savea, offensive tackle, Cleveland (2000)
Chris Schultz, offensive tackle, Dallas (1983, 1985)

TWELFTH ROUND
Jim Arneson, offensive tackle, Dallas (1973-74), Washington (1975)

FIFTEENTH ROUND
Tom Greenfield, center, Green Bay (1939-41)

ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.