Former Bear Sherrick McManis ‘honored’ for spot in Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — He really never throught he’d be standing in the Civic Center ballroom, giving a speech after being inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame.

But that’s where Richwoods grad and former Chicago Bear Sherrick McManis spent Saturday night. And now he’s among the greats in his hometown’s sports hall of fame.

“I didn’t think I’d be here at all, I was too busy trying to take things step by step, trying to get to the next level,” said McManis. “Once I retired I took a step back and admired everything I accomplished. It was cool to examine that. When you’re in the midst of it, you don’t take time to breathe and appreciate where you are as much as you should. This is an honor.”

McManis parlayed his high school and collegiate success into an 11-year NFL career. He rushed for 1,690 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at Richwoods in the fall of 2005.

But his focus went to the defense and special teams once we go to college and played at Northwestern, where he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior.

He was picked by Houston in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft but was traded to the Bears two years later. He played nine seasons with the Bears as a defensive back and special teams standout, finishing his career with 125 solo tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and four recovered fumbles.

Saturday night, he thought about where it all started. In Peoria.

“People form Peoria, in general, have a grit about them. We bring that grit wherever we are,” said McManis. “I happen to live in Chicago. People ask me if I’m from Chicago, no I’m from the 309, Peoria, Illinois. Let it be known we have talent there and a lot more.”

A father of four, McManis brought his wife and family to the induction ceremony and spent the weekend reminiscing. But he also made a stop to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois on Friday to visit patients.

“It’s an opportunity to give back,” McManis said. “To be able to see those kids and interact with those kids. That meant a lot, it had me choked up. That’s real strength.”

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