He was the face of the Bears ....... I just think he was a more known quantity outside of his local market.
He was more of a known quanity outside his local market because (1) the bears accomphished more and (2) was the best player on the team.
I bet you can name the
best player on the Patriots quicker than you can name the
second best player on the Bills. Both are outside your market but are in your division.
Or best defensive player on Rams vs the second best defensive player on the 49rs. (other than sunstroke, who is very familiar with the 9s)
He wasn't known outside of his local market because the second best player on a team/unit that doesn't accomphish anything is rarely noticed outside his home market.