We've already seen some bad news about the former Chicago Bears today, namely the arrest of Jay Cutler for drunk driving and gun possession. So how about something a little more fun and a lot more football related?

Specifically, how about a story about Lance Briggs as a threat?

On Barstool's “Pardon My Take” podcast, former Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph was asked about the hardest hit he ever took in the NFL. His answer: a shot he fired at the Bears' star linebacker.

“We played in Chicago… I ran a crossing route,” Rudolph remembers. “I didn’t get the ball. He came down and just smoked me. There would probably be a penalty today.”

Although he stayed in the game, the hit shocked the former Notre Dame pass catcher.

“It was on autopilot,” he said. “I was out there. I was in the crowd. I was where I was supposed to be. I ran the distance I was supposed to run. I blocked – I have no idea. No memory.

“As I got to the sideline, one of the tight ends on the practice squad threw me a hat. “Brother, what is this for?” 'It's your hat.'”

Afterward, teammates asked head coaches to check on Rudolph, who said the hit from Briggs shook him so badly that he couldn't answer what team he was playing against or what month he was playing.

“I thought, 'October,'” Rudolph said. “I was sure it was October. It's like the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

“They took me to the locker room. I failed the iPad test miserably. Our head doctor asked, “Do you have anyone at home who can look after you tonight?”… I think, yes, I live with Harrison Smith. They say, 'He's lying there on the table.' Knocked himself out in the first quarter.'

Luckily for Rudolph, he said he regained his memory right after his failed test, although he didn't return to the game.

If nothing else, history gives you an idea of ​​how brutal those NFC North matchups were with Smith on one side and Briggs, Brian Urlacher and the rest of the Bears' fierce defense in their prime.

Although Briggs tends to be overlooked nationally in favor of Hall-of-Famer Urlacher, the Arizona Wildcat product had the ability to strike fear into offensive players with powerful shots in the middle of the field.

Rudolph certainly wasn't the only one to feel the wrath of the dominant linebacker.