Robbie Gould becomes Bears’ all-time leader in points scored

KANSAS CITY — Robbie Gould is No. 1 and will be for a long time.

With 44- and 30-yard field goals in the Bears’ dramatic 18-17 win against the Chiefs on Sunday, Gould became the franchise’s all-time leader in points scored.

Gould entered the game four points behind former kicker Kevin Butler, who has 1,116 career points with Bears. Gould, who declined questions afterward, now has 1,118.

Butler told the Sun-Times last week that he anticipated Gould breaking his record in Kansas City and that he was rooting for him. The two have become close friends.

“[His career has] been amazing,” Butler said. “He’s just been consistent to a new level for kickers, not only in the NFL, but in Chicago with that tough weather. He’s just been unbelievable. I’m very proud of him.”

Butler broke Walter Payton’s mark of 750 on Oct. 4, 1992 in Minnesota with a 50-yard field goal. He increased his record until he left the Bears in 1995.

Gould, one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, remains perfect on the season, making all 11 of his field-goal attempts. He already owns the team record for field goals, which he increased to 254.

“He just seems to get better, better,” Butler said. “He’s comfortable in Chicago. He’s comfortable in that Bears uniform, and he’s embraced it. That’s one of his greatest successes.”

Gould, a team captain, was in charge of giving the team speech on Saturday.

“He just talked about your why,” receiver Josh Bellamy said. “Why are you playing this game? What are you doing it for? Sometimes you got to think, ‘What’s your why?’”

Those close to Gould will tell you he’s driven to be the best ever.

“I’m proud of him,” former long snapper Patrick Mannelly said. “I got to see him walk in as a kid with hair in 2005 and work his butt off to be best the best kicker in Bears history.”

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Email: ajahns@suntimes.com