Now 56, Rains played seven years for the Bears (1981-87). A week later, it limited the Raiders' powerful offense to 29 yards rushing. FIFTH ROW: Fred Caito, Willie Gault (83), Brian Bashnagel (84), Dennis McKinnon (85), Brad Anderson (86), Emery Moorehead (87), Pat Dunsmore (88), Mitch Krenk (89), Richard Dent (95), Keith. The most iconic version of the Hogs was the unit that was first given the nickname. The whole team just had a swag to them, and it was electrifying! @Nelly_Mo on the 1999 St. Louis Rams #NFL100: NFL 100 GREATEST TEAMS on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/NRnlr52AkA, The NFL was growing in popularity in the '60s, which might be why this nickname is still revered by generations of football fans. He was taken in the third round of the 1983 NFL Draft. Thomas was also involved this year in a joint effort with the Chicago Public Schools to encourage residents to fill out the U.S. Census. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. He was a rookie during the Super Bowl-winning 1985 season and had the distinction of wearing the same jersey number as Hall of Famer Dick Butkus (which was eventually retired in 1994). The Bears defeated the Lions 243, while Walter Payton and Matt Suhey ran for 105 and 102 yards, respectively. And you know how you are with your family. Kobe was taken too soon, but written in history forever, The sports that people play and watch the most, "The more often you have pushed the boundaries in practice, the easier it is to push that crucial bit harder and longer in matches. He was a standout at the University of New Mexico, which is the alma mater of Bears star Brian Urlacher. The Bears also dominated Patriots starting running back James, holding him to 1 yard on 5 carries, with 1 fumble. He is retired, with the exception of taking part each year in the Texas vs.The Nation game. For an NFL team today, 104 penalties in a 16-game season is not much to scoff at. The Time article revealed a quote that demonstrated how dominant the Steel Curtain was. Caito spent more than 30 years as a trainer on the collegiate and NFL levels, primarily with the Bears. Wilson hosted his sixth annual Celebrity Golf Outing on Aug. 5 at Bolingbrook Golf Club for his 55-Alive initiative that promotes physical fitness and nutrition for at-risk youths in the Chicago area. Just start with all of the nicknames. On 3rd and 7, he connected with Mark Clayton for 26 yards down to the Bears 1-yard line. He retired in the mid-1990s and returned to where he began his coaching career, Tucson, Ariz. One of George Halas' grandsons, McCaskey served as an assistant trainer from 1982 to '93 before beginning his way up the corporate ladder within the organization. From 'The Fridge' to 'Bulldog,' a ranking of the 10 best nicknames in Chicago Bears history, along with a few honorable mentions. He founded and chairs the Tony Dorsett/McGuire Memorial Celebrity Golf Outing that to date has raised nearly $5 million to help 90 severely handicapped and mentally challenged residents that reside in the McGuire Home. Ditka was a Bears player himself who was hired to bring back greatness to Chicago. Mongo. Here is a rundown on the Bear players and their pet nicknames: - Mike Singletary: Samurai. Plumb is recognized for saving Ryan's life in 1990 when, at dinner, Ryan started choking on a pork chop. But the "Monsters of the Midway" moniker didn't allude to a particular unit during that point in time. Van Horne lives in the Chicago suburbs and can be found occasionally at sports memorabilia and autograph sessions, as well as being a regular at the annual Bears' fan convention. Help us become the best sports website in the world. 1985 Chicago Bears season - Wikipedia [12], In the season opener against the Bucs, the Bears defense seemed lost for much of the first half of the game by allowing 28 points, and trailed 2817 at halftime, but the offense was able to lead the Bears to a victory after Jim McMahon scored 3 touchdowns, with Matt Suhey scoring on another. Davenport then ran in, and the Dolphins led 2410. The 1985 season was the Chicago Bears' 66th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Mike Ditka. The offensive tackle and backup center was stymied throughout his career by injuries, requiring eight surgeries. The 1985 Chicago Bears are one of the few teams to consistently challenge the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins for the unofficial title of the greatest NFL team of all time In 2007, the 1985 Bears were ranked as the second-greatest Super Bowl championship team on the NFL Network's documentary series America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, ranking behind only the 1972 Dolphins. Before the Cowboys were branded as "America's Team," their defense was given one of the greatest nicknames ever. He is the NFL leader in tenure with one team among active coaches. The Bears' iconic 46 defense (named after the jersey number of former Bears' safety, Doug Plank), led by mercurial defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, was an "attack from all angles" scheme that resulted in, arguably, one of the greatest overall team defenses in league history. After the ensuing kickoff, New England lost 13 yards in 3 plays and had to punt again, but got the ball back with great field position when defensive back Raymond Clayborn recovered a fumble from Suhey at their own 46-yard line. Walter Payton had rushed for 120 yards on 17 carries, and McMahon completed 23/34 passes for 274 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.[13]. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Greene had an interception and a fumble recovery, while White recorded the first safety in Super Bowl history. New England receiver Stephen Starring returned 7 kickoffs for 153 yards and caught 2 passes for 39 yards. Led by two-time Defensive Player of the Year Joe Greene, perennial Pro Bowler L.C. (Schedule and Results), Playoffs:Won Divisional Round 21-0 vs. New York GiantsWon Conference Championship 24-0 vs. Los Angeles RamsWon Super Bowl 46-10 vs. New England Patriots, Other Notable Asst. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Who can forget Iron Mike, Sweetness, The Punky QB, Mongo, Danimal, Samurai Mike, The Fridge, and Butthead? Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The group is legendary on and off the field, and it ended with a Super Bowl . Roland spent 10 years with the Bears, primarily as running backs coach, before moving on to similar positions with the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints. Ranking the greatest unit nicknames in NFL history: Steel Curtain With an offense led by quarterback Jim McMahon and running back Walter Payton, the Bears ran roughshod over the league that year with a 15-1 regular season record and an easy 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots . He was a wide receiver from 1952 to '61 before becoming an assistant coach, seeing at different times roles as wide receivers coach and defensive coordinator. Do you have a sports website? 1985 Bears. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. In their two playoff games against the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams, the Bears outscored their opponents 450 and became the first team to record back-to-back playoff shutouts. He was promoted to his current position of associate head coach/linebackers coach in 2008. Green Bay's Mark Lee and Ken Stills intensified the game after Lee sent Payton over a bench and Stills leveled Matt Suhey. Do you have a blog? The 2018 class of undrafted free agents signing with the Bears. He is believed to reside in Texas. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Chicago Bears players and coaches walk the orange carpet and enjoy their night at the annual Bears Care Gala on Saturday. Consider: Broadway Joe Namath, Mean Joe Greene, Jack ''Hacksaw''. 1 draft choice Mark Carrier doesn`t have one yet, and since he`s a hard-hitting safety, ''M.C. After five years in the NFL -- three with the Bears (1984-86) and the last two with Denver -- Humphries remained in the Mile High City to attend medical school at the University of Colorado-Denver, followed by a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. It was unprecedented that the Bears had such a great regular season considering they were just 1-3 in the preseason. In Super Bowl IX, it shut out Minnesota's offense while holding the Vikings to 102 total yards. He does frequent guest appearances on ESPN 1000, and is in his second season as coach of the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League. Having played with the Bears from 1984-87, Marshall is one of the NFL's rare players, winning Super Bowl rings with two teams ('85 Bears and '91 Washington Redskins). [16], This was the Bears last victory at Candlestick Park. The '72 Dolphins defense -- which boasted the league's top-ranked unit during the regular season -- did not allow a single point in Super Bowl VII. How would '85 defense fare today? - Chicago Bears Claimed on waivers just prior to the start of training camp, Thrift spent just one season with the Bears (1985) as a reserve linebacker, sandwiched around a prior six-year stint in San Diego and a final year in 1986 with the Los Angeles Rams. He was drafted in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL Draft. - Ron. Even though he speaks with a German-style accent, he was born and raised on Chicago's north side. ", 1985 Chicago Bears NFL's 10 Greatest Teams 125th Anniversary Sporting News, "Top 10 linebacking corps in NFL history", "1985 Bears: Wilber Marshall's Bonecrushing Hit [Video] Chicago Sports Mob", "22. The Bears then marched 72 yards in 11 plays, moving the ball inside the Patriots 10-yard line. Drafted by the Bears in 1982, he played for Baltimore/Indianapolis in 1983 and 1984 before being traded back to the Bears later that season. They would score the next forty-five points. Even though he was listed on the 1985 roster, he did not play because of injuries and eventually retired. Bears veteran players and coaches took a trip to Top Golf for a team outing on Thursday, enjoying the driving range, mini golf and other games. As a testament to their toughness, a hit by Marshall where he knocked Detroit Lions quarterback Joe Ferguson unconscious is still replayed as just one example of the ferocity with which this team played.[36]. During the game, he shared 1.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, and blocked a pass. A lifelong avid outdoorsman, Wrightman purchased the 190-acre Lazy Bear ranch in Weiser, Idaho, considered one of the best hunting and fishing resorts in the country, which he still operates today. : Jim Dooley (Offensive Consultant), Ted Plumb (Receivers) and Dick Stanfel (Offensive Line), Secretary of the Board of Directors: Virginia Halas McCaskey, Training Camp: UW Platteville (Platteville, Wisconsin), Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 2:31PM. Now, he's known as Dr. Stefan G. Humphries, MD. Mike Singletary talks '85 Bears, Walter Payton on GMFB Put another way, the 119 penalties the '85 Bears recorded in 19 games were fewer than what 25 percent of the league did in 16 contests this season. He ended his career with single-season stints with Houston, Arizona and the New York Jets (1993-95). Jim Thorpe is the spirit of the game. "When I think of it, I think of it fondly and with a lot of adoration to the people that were part of it. He was unable to transfer that leadership ability to the helm of the Bears. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at Monsters of the Midway: Introduced in the 1940s when Bears won four NFL titles. Here is a rundown on the Bear players and their pet nicknames: - Mark Bortz: Bortzilla (as in Godzilla). The late Jim Finks, the former Bears general manager, recruited Earley to move with him from the Vikings to the Bears in 1974. Since then, he has served as player liaison/operations assistant, director of player and staff development and co-director of the Bears' training camp operations. He also qualified as a member of the U.S. Olympic bobsled team in 1988. But after an incomplete pass and a 4-yard loss, they had to send in punter Rich Camarillo again, and receiver Keith Ortego returned the ball 12 yards to the 41-yard line. The Jets' lack of postseason success is what ultimately led to them not being higher on this list. Friedman spent 21 years as director of video services, filming all games and practices with the Bears from 1974 to 1994 before leaving the team. His stops include Westminster College (Utah), where his career began in 1970 as defensive coordinator, and continued through the College of Emporia (Kansas), Texas-Arlington, Colorado State, Southern Utah, Texas-Austin, UTEP and the Dallas Cowboys. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? They still have reunions and while some players and coaches are no longer with us, they still have a great relationship. '85 Bears: The Perfect Storm - Bleacher Report Here's a look at where Bears players ranked on the list, including three players in the top 10. He was the MVP of Super Bowl XX. The Bears then scored in the third quarter, but any momentum they gained was lost when Butler muffed the ensuing kickoff, which Dolphins rookie Alex Moyer recovered at the Bears 46. One oddity in the Bears victory was that Payton had a relatively poor performance statistically running the ball and never scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XX, his first and only Super Bowl appearance in a Hall of Fame career. The defense led the league in points allowed (198), yards allowed (4,135) and takeaways (54), a feat that wouldn't be accomplished again until the 2013 Seattle Seahawks defense. Photos of Bears football during the years spent at Wrigley Field. He was the NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 1985. He contributed eight sacks in the 85 season. Football seems to lend itself to exotic, crazy, zany nicknames. Eason became the first Super Bowl starting quarterback to fail to complete a pass, going 0 for 6 attempts. But Grogan could only lead them to the 37-yard line and they decided to punt rather than risk a 55-yard field goal attempt. While he saw action in just seven games in 1985, he started 13 games the following season, pulling in 23 receptions for 430 yards and two touchdowns. He finished as the Bears' first or second leading tackler each of his last 11 seasons. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE 2014 BEARS? Shop affordable wall art to hang in dorms, be. In a student vs teacher matchup, the Bears shut out the Cowboys, handing them the worst loss in franchise history, as well as the first time they were shut out in 15 years. Such was life when playing against the greatest defensive line of all time. The team also had 4 shutouts, two in the regular season over the Dallas Cowboys, and Atlanta Falcons, followed by the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in the postseason.[34]. The Bears have assigned uniform numbers to their 10 picks in this year's draft, beginning with first-round selection Darnell Wright, who will wear No. "This is Speedy Willy and I'm world-class," Gault rapped in the Super Bowl Shuffle, which he helped organize. "[30], The Bears defense dominated the game by limiting Rams running back Eric Dickerson to 46 yards, and holding quarterback Dieter Brock to 10 out of 31 completions for 66 passing yards. Gault, who turns 50 in September, spent five seasons with the Bears and six with the Raiders before retiring after the 1993 season with 44 touchdown passes in his career. Mike Richardson; ''Punky QB'' Jim McMahon; ''The Bermuda Triangle'' of Mike Singletary, Otis Wilson and Wilber Marshall; the recently departed ''Double-D'' Dave Duerson and, of course, ''Sweetness,'' Walter Payton. [15] Coach Ditka acknowledged feeling crushed when Coach Landry complimented his team after the game. After a 15-season NFL career (one year with New England, 13 with the Bears and a final season in 1994 with Green Bay), McMichael spent time as a broadcaster and five years as a pro wrestler. Bears '85 defense voted best ever, again - nbcsports.com Two plays later, Bears fullback Matt Suhey scored on an 11-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 133. He was named head coach in 1968 when legendary team patriarch and founder George S. Halas retired from coaching at the age of 73. After his playing days, Andrews returned to Louisville, where he starred in college, and currently serves as senior director of real estate for the Papa John's pizza chain. He lives with his family in Nebraska City, Neb., where he is a successful real estate developer and home builder. The Evanston native also has stayed true to his home state of Illinois since retiring from a 12-year NFL career that included three seasons with the New York Giants, one with the Broncos and the final eight with the Bears. The Bears hopes for a perfect season were thwarted when Dan Marino and the Dolphins defeated the McMahon-less Bears on Monday Night Football, 3824, and kept the '72 Dolphins the only undefeated regular season in league history (it wouldn't be until 2007 when the 2007 New England Patriots were able to tie this record). All rights reserved. Raiders after eight seasons with the Bears. The @RamsNFL Fearsome Foursome More #NFL100 rewinds now streaming on @TIDAL: https://t.co/HdqaOJGkN4 pic.twitter.com/LKgU96jMRY. In promoting Cabral, Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins said, "no one person has had more influence in the success of Colorado football than Brian Cabral.". Greenwood, and menacing linemen Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, the unit led the Steelers to their first two Super Bowl wins of the decade. Bears Nicknames: 200+ Cool and Cute Names - Worth Start Duerson played with the Bears from 1983-1989. Please do buy them through the site, it doesnt cost you anything and you buy everything at Amazon anyway. He was considered the Bears most intimidating player. [15] In return for 49ers coach Bill Walshs idea of sending lineman Guy McIntyre in as fullback the season before, Mike Ditka sent in rookie William Perry, but as a runner rather than a blocker. Chocolate - This can be one of the bear names as it is also associated with the brown color bear. Monsters of the Midway - Wikipedia Prior to that, Becker spent several years working in youth football programs and camps with the Fox Valley Park District and the Aurora Catholic League. 12 Chicago Bears make list of top 101 greatest NFL nicknames ever It was that internship of sorts that led Fisher into a lengthy coaching career: 1986-90 with the Philadelphia Eagles (defensive backs coach and then defensive coordinator), 1991 with the Los Angeles Rams (defensive coordinator), 1992-93 with the San Francisco 49ers (defensive backs coach) and then the Houston Oilers for the 1994 season as defensive coordinator.