Milky. Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary wakes up with Good Morning Football to discuss the origins of his "Samurai Mike" nickname, where the Super Bowl XX champion '85 Bears rank among the greatest teams of all time, the legacy of fellow Hall of Famer Walter Payton, the current state of the Bears and more. 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. The Notre Dame graduate moved into the starting lineup as a rookie right offensive guard with the Bears in 1985 and stayed there through the 1992 season, finishing his career in 1993 with a three-game stint with Miami before retiring. Check out the 1985 Chicago Bears Roster, Players , Starters and more on Pro-Football-Reference.com. Gentry spent his 11-season NFL career with the Bears from 1982-92. Riggins ran for 168 yards on a Super Bowl record 38 carries in the victory over the Dolphins. That Super Bowl Shufflin` Crew included Dennis ''Silky D'' McKinnon; ''L.A.'' He recovered 17 fumbles in his career. 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). Chicagobears.com cameras were with Bears great Brian Urlacher before, during and after he received a knock on the door telling him that he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dan Hampton then tipped a Marino pass into the air, but it sailed downfield for 30 yards before landing in the hands of Clayton, who went into the end zone to make it 3817. The team was corralled by hard-nosed Mike Ditka. Matt graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and has worked for outlets like ABC News, Fox Sports Arizona, The Athletic, and many more!You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @mattblively to see all of his work! Charles Neal Anderson is ''Charley'' and Tom Waddle, with his hair straight up, is ''Woodstock,'' the comic-strip bird in Peanuts. 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. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. "People get destroyed on the field, lives end. 58. Van Horne won a $1.6 million defamation judgment against Chicago radio personality Erich "Mancow" Muller in 2000. Who says you can never go home again? The quote was from Vikings Pro Bowl running back Chuck Foreman during Super Bowl IX. That attention to detail caught the eyes of the Detroit Lions, who hired Gentry in 2001 as a scout. Tight end, 1961-1966Head coach, 1982-1992. We're family, man. Simpson? He was drafted in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL Draft. From there, he joined the University of Colorado -- his alma mater -- as an assistant coach, where he remains. 9. The Bears struck back with a 7-play, 59-yard drive, featuring a 43-yard pass completion from Jim McMahon to wide receiver Willie Gault, to set up a field goal from Kevin Butler, tying the score 33. The most iconic version of the Hogs was the unit that was first given the nickname. But the Patriots defense still had no ability to stop Chicago's offense. Sweetness. A native of Pardeeville, Wis., Bortz had a standout career at offensive guard, playing 12 seasons for the Bears, earning two Pro Bowl appearances. However, the Bears had the last laugh against their hated rival, winning 1610, and Perry scored his first career receiving touchdown along the way. Marshall's story is indeed one of the sadder ones on the Bears. Faulk, acquired via a trade with the Colts during the '99 offseason, became the second player in league history to record 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season. He was given several opportunities to score near the goal line, but New England stopped him every time before he reached the end zone (such as his 2-yard loss from the New England 3-yard line a few plays before Butler's second field goal, and his 2-yard run from the 4-yard line right before McMahon's first rushing touchdown). Chocolate - This can be one of the bear names as it is also associated with the brown color bear. Record: 15-1-0, 1st in 54: 1982 @Redskins, @SuperBowl XVII Champions #HTTR: #NFL100 Greatest Teams on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/pHZUq8wlc4. He also is on the board of directors of Innovative Designs Inc. He is in his 10th season with the Lions in that role. Glen ''Koz'' Kozlowski is also known as. Bears '85 defense voted best ever, again - nbcsports.com Prior to that, he served with several teams, including head coach from 1959 to '66 at the University of Arizona, which featured a 15-1-1 streak early in his tenure. Stanfel, 83, who has battled health issues in recent years, splits his time between Chicago and San Francisco. Record: 15-1-0, 1st in The former Penn State standout could play left and right defensive end. Mongo. Although Fullback Tony Collins was the Patriots leading rusher, he was limited to just 4 yards on 3 carries, and caught 2 passes for 19 yards. The group played a vital role in the Vikings winning the 1969 NFL title, Minnesota's first and last championship. They may be under-represented in Canton, Ohio, but the Dolphins' "No Name" defense has a unique place in NFL history as the only unit that did not lose a game for an entire season. He finished as the Bears' first or second leading tackler each of his last 11 seasons. The year before they were 10-4. He is expected to be one of the top candidates to start at fullback for the Nittany Lions this season. Leslie Frazier had a short-lived career, playing from just 1981-1985. An All-America tight end from UCLA, Wrightman was drafted by the Bears in 1982, but a contract dispute led him to sign with the Chicago Blitz of the rival USFL. After a post-playing career in business, a chance offer to become running backs coach for the then-XFL's Chicago Enforcers in 2000 wound up ultimately changing Gentry's life. The Best NFL Defensive Unit Nicknames - Bleacher Report Known as "Hit Man" for his aggressive pursuit and tackling during his 12-year career (1976-87), all with the Bears, the Chicago native remains the team's all-time leader in interceptions (38) and was one of the most prolific tacklers in club history. He used to be an offensive lineman. He is a successful businessman in his native Texas. Bart - This is a Hebrew name that means furrow. Yet for all his fury on the football field, Fencik was a mild-mannered man off it. Ranking the greatest unit nicknames in NFL history: Steel Curtain WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE 2014 BEARS? At the end of his tenure, the Bears had a 6-6 record in the postseason. [16], This was the Bears last victory at Candlestick Park. Now, he's known as Dr. Stefan G. Humphries, MD. Even though he was listed on the 1985 roster, he did not play because of injuries and eventually retired. Not many nicknames capture the essence of an era and a city much like this one. Both teams struggled to a 3-3 halftime score as Indianapolis actually outgained Chicago in the half. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Eight plays later, McMahon finished the Super Bowl record 96-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make the Bears lead 303. Not including LB Elijah Norris, DL Abdullah Anderson, and DL Cavon Walker. Led by a fearless leader, the 1985 Chicago Bears are the greatest defense in NFL history. Gault continues to pursue an acting/screenwriting/producing career in Hollywood. The Nation collegiate exhibition game. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Gayle played safety with the Bears from 1984 to '94, followed by a one-year stint with the San Diego Chargers in 1995 before retiring. Matt has covered Super Bowls, Final Fours, all four professional sports, college athletics, and community sports. "You're . It was unprecedented that the Bears had such a great regular season considering they were just 1-3 in the preseason. However, Mike Ditka lured Stanfel out of retirement to join him with the Saints for the second time in Stanfel's career. [15] The 198 points allowed were 65 less than the second-most allowed that year, while the point differential of plus-258 is 110 more than the second-ranked differential and the third-highest in NFL history. New England kept them out of the end zone, but Butler kicked his third field goal on the last play of the half to give Chicago a 233 halftime lead. The Bears won their first twelve games of the season before losing to the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. He spent one year with the L.A. Do you have a blog? Monsters of the Midway - Wikipedia Howard Angus: Being a World Champion at two sports as an amateur! High quality 85 Bears-inspired gifts and merchandise. Armstrong is also called ''Happy Boy'' by his teammates since he`s always goofing off. In 14 different games that season, the Bears allowed 14 points or less. The former University of Texas standout was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on July 17. Find out more. Read about Matts pick for Greatest Offense of all time, the 1999 St. Louis Rams. "Mama's Boy Otis" has been involved in a number of ventures in business, film and broadcasting since his retirement from the NFL in 1989. Guaranteed.". Chicago's first touchdown resulted on a New York punt attempt from their own 12-yard line. Hartenstine used to work at the infamous Lantern restaurant and bar in Lake Forest and is a frequent participant at sports memorabilia shows and autograph shows. [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. ''Kool Mo D'' and Lemuel Stinson`s ''Lemonhead,'' because of his resemblance to the character on the box of Lemonhead candies. Warner's 414 passing yards spearheaded the Rams' thrilling 23-16 win over the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. In Super Bowl IX, it shut out Minnesota's offense while holding the Vikings to 102 total yards. [23] Mike Singletary said in America's Game: 1985 Chicago Bears:.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}. . 1 / 10 Legion of Boom: Current Seahawks secondary led by Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. The Rams' vaunted defensive line, which consisted of Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy, was once hailed by Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus as the greatest defensive line of all time. He also serves on the team's board of directors, founded McCaskey Sportsmedicine Clinic in Mount Prospect and is an auxiliary officer for the Des Plaines Police Department. [43], Assisted the coaches from the coaching booth, National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award, "ESPN.com Page2 Greatest NFL teams of all time", "100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100-1 SUPERCUT", "1985 Bears Voted Best Super Bowl Winner", "Bears lighten their load, drop 'Refrigerator' Perry '86 Super Bowl star lost job as starter PRO FOOTBALL Baltimore Sun", "Chicago Bears' 1985 Super Bowl championship turns 25 this year: Les Frazier, Walter Payton fuel Week 1 win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers ESPN Chicago", "Hey-Let's check out the Viking Miracle (McMahon owns the Vikings)", "Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: A Look Back at the NFL's Oldest Rivalry", "When was last time Bears allowed 2 100-yard rushers? The 2018 class of undrafted free agents signing with the Bears. pic.twitter.com/POLvSEwkAb. He lives with his family in Nebraska City, Neb., where he is a successful real estate developer and home builder. After the Patriots received the second half opening kickoff, they managed to get one first down, but then had to punt after Grogan was sacked twice. In promoting Cabral, Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins said, "no one person has had more influence in the success of Colorado football than Brian Cabral.". The Bears rookies made a trip to Guaranteed Rate Field to meet with White Sox players and fans before the baseball game. It perfectly summed up the dominance of Buddy Ryan's bunch, but similar to the 1940s, no specific unit officially claimed. Buddy - Can be a common name for your kid. Fuller hit Ken Margerum for a 19-yard touchdown, but that would be the last score of the night for the Bears. Simms was 14/35 for 209 yards while running back Joe Morris, the NFL's regular-season touchdown leader, finished with 32 yards on 12 carries. He was the NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 1985. Princeton vs. Creighton odds, prediction, betting trends for 2023 March Still, he got a Super Bowl ring out of his brief stint in Chicago. For an encore, the Steel Curtain sacked Roger Staubach seven times in Super Bowl X. A team's nickname can define an offensive or defensive unit, especially in the NFL. 11:06 am ET, declared Doomsday the greatest defensive unit of all time, NFL 2023 schedule: Home and away opponents for all 32, NFL Draft superlatives: Best/worst class, ROY and more, Will Levis dropping to second round proves costly, Chiefs expected to re-sign Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs' Hunt believes Mahomes will always be underpaid, Ranking the greatest unit nicknames in NFL history, Prisco's draft grades for all 32 teams: Eagles ace it, 2024 mock: Williams No. 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 also makes frequent appearances at celebrity and Bears-related events. Although retired from coaching, Plumb still takes part in the yearly Texas vs. He has a coaching record of 136-110 and is 5-6 in postseason play, including a loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV. Do you have a blog? Hughes spent nearly 40 years in football as a player and coach. Raiders after eight seasons with the Bears. The Rams also showed a growing football audience that hard-hitting, physical football can be as enjoyable to watch as high-scoring affairs. 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). He also qualified as a member of the U.S. Olympic bobsled team in 1988. The Bears entered 1985 looking to improve on their 106 record from 1984 and advance further than the NFC Championship Game, where they lost to the 151 San Francisco 49ers. 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. Taylor's NFL career was short: one season with the Bears (1985) and another with the San Diego Chargers (1986). He was the Super Bowl MVP. 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. 1985 Chicago Bears season - Wikipedia The Bears entered 1985 looking to improve on their 10-6 record from 1984 and advance further than the NFC Championship Game, where they lost to the 15-1 San Francisco 49ers. A few of them were just fun and creative while being more of a reflection of the fan base than of the actual unit. He contributed eight sacks in the 85 season. Otis Wilson was the Bears first-round pick of the 1980 NFL Draft. Since leaving the Bears, Caito has kept busy as fitness coordinator and trainer at the Niles Family Fitness Center in north suburban Niles. A longtime North Shore resident, Moorehead has spent much of his post-playing career in real estate sales. 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. Or, how about ''the Assassin,'' Jack Tatum? [6][7] Other sources rate the 1985 Chicago Bears as the greatest NFL team ever. [19] With the Bears in trouble and trailing 107 in the 4th quarter, a Steve McMichael safety proved to be the key play that turned the game. Hammer'' seems appropriate. We're a Grabowski. Still, he wasn't idle that season, serving as an assistant to then-defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan. Hall of Famers Walter Payton, Mike Singletary and Dan Hampton, . Ditka was a tight end when he played in the NFL but with the help of Buddy Ryan, the team was considered a defensive team first. The Oak Park native was primarily a reserve offensive lineman who played guard and tackle and was a key cog on special teams. Goldie - Can be a nickname for grizzly bear in reference to its Golden Color. The Joliet native has not strayed far from his roots: He is one of many members from the '85 Bears that continue to reside full-time in the Chicagoland area. They are known as one of the meanest, toughest teams to ever take the field. William Perry (American football) - Wikipedia The loss to the Dolphins would be the only loss the Bears would suffer that season, as they finished with a 151 record. 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. Since 2007 he has coached with the San Diego Chargers, first as linebackers coach and now as defensive coordinator. Before the Cowboys were branded as "America's Team," their defense was given one of the greatest nicknames ever. He is believed to reside in Texas. Like several of his former teammates, Keys became heavily involved in philanthropy and helping needy youth. Frazier is in his fourth season as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Behind the Hogs, "The Diesel" ran for a playoff record 610 yards in four playoff games. The '86 Giants have a claim, but most NFL Experts agree that the NFL's best defense has to be the '85 Bears. Minnesota's defensive front was as terrifying as it was talented. In three playoff games during the 1985 season, they allowed just a total of 10 points. I think it's the same reason people look with disfavor on the Raiders. This might be the coolest nickname in NFL history. He was unable to transfer that leadership ability to the helm of the Bears. Anderson caught just four passes (including one for a touchdown) in two seasons in the NFL, both with the Bears. New England receiver Stephen Starring returned 7 kickoffs for 153 yards and caught 2 passes for 39 yards. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. But nobody else better mess with your family, right?". On the second play of their ensuing possession, the Patriots turned the ball over again, when receiver Cedric Jones lost a fumble after catching a 19-yard pass from Grogan. The 1985 Bears rapped and shuffled their way to a win over New England in Super Bowl XX in 1986 with a colorful cast of characters, perhaps the greatest single-season achievement by any pro sports team in Chicago history. The Bears had allowed 212 yards in the first half, but eventually allowed only 95 in the second half. The 1985 Bears defense ranked first in yards allowed and fewest points allowed. Olsen is flanked in Canton by Jones, who tallied 173.5 sacks during his legendary career. [15] Coach Ditka acknowledged feeling crushed when Coach Landry complimented his team after the game. 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. The brains of the operation was Joe Klecko, who earned Pro Bowl selections at four different positions. He also coached at Utah and Wake Forest and with the Buffalo Bills. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. With only 24 spots in each NFL team's Inner Circle at the 2023 NFL Draft, some of the Bears most loyal fans detailed their exciting experiences of being some of the select few just feet away from one of the sport's biggest stages. Bears great McMichael reveals he has ALS - Chicago Bears Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. Gosselin also asked which vaunted defense had the best nickname in NFL history, and here the '85 Bears finally fell short. Bears receiver Willie Gault finished the game with 129 receiving yards on just 4 receptions, an average of over 32.2 yards per catch. Da Coach. Bear Names that are, Funny & Cute for Males and Females But 14 years . 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. Through the NFL's first 102 seasons, several units were so memorable that a nickname was bestowed upon them. The former U.S. Olympic weightlifter spent more than 40 years (starting in 1963, hired by team founder George Halas) as weightlifting and strength coach for the Bears. The group was led by Alan Page, the first defensive player to win league MVP. Don't click on the links if they infuriate you. NICKNAMES? BEARS HAVE A BUNCH - Chicago Tribune Fittingly, the MVP of Miami's first Super Bowl win was a defensive player: safety Jack Scott, whose two interceptions helped the Dolphins secure the franchise's first Super Bowl win. It was the Bears' first NFL Championship title since 1963 and their most recent championship. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and considered one of the greatest Bears of all time. Legion of Boom: Current Seahawks secondary led by Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. 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]. 178 for 313, 2,392 yards, 15 td, 11 int, & 47 rushes for 252 yards and 3 td, 324 rushes for 1,551 yards, 9 td, & 49 catches for 483 yards and 2 td, 115 rushes for 471 yards, 1 td, & 33 catches for 295 yards and 1 td, 33 catches for 704 yards, 1 td, & 5 rushes for 18 yards and 0 td, 31 catches for 555 yards, 7 td, & 1 rush for yards and 0 td, 6.5 sacks, 0 interceptions, 3 fumbles recovered, 8.0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 1 fumble recovered, 5.0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 17.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 10.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 3.0 sacks, 1 interception, 3 fumbles recovered, 6.0 sacks, 4 interceptions, 1 fumble recovered, 0.0 sacks, 4 interceptions, 1 fumble recovered, 0.0 sacks, 6 interceptions, 0 fumbles recovered, 2.0 sacks, 5 interceptions, 1 fumble recovered, 0.0 sacks, 5 interceptions, 1 fumble recovered. But Ryan loved his players and it showed during a meeting on Saturday night before the Super Bowl. With Mike Ditka at the helm and Buddy Ryan as the defensive coordinator, the Bears were set up to have one of the greatest runs on the defensive side of the ball, ever. Even though he speaks with a German-style accent, he was born and raised on Chicago's north side. Matt's son Joe marks the fourth generation of Suhey family members who have played football at Penn State. [21][22] Miami struck first when Marino hit Nat Moore for a 33-yard touchdown. It symbolizes the first great era of Broncos football, an era that included the franchise's first trip to the Super Bowl. The oldest grandchild of George Halas was known as a business and management expert prior to joining the Bears as team president in 1983 following Halas' death. The interior of the line was anchored by the 350-pound William "The Refrigerator" Perry, who tallied five sacks in his rookie year, and fellow DT Steve McMichael, who sacked opposing QBs eight times. 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. He was taken in the third round of the 1983 NFL Draft. We are an Amazon Affiliate partner and as such receive commission payments if you buy items through the site. That charge was overturned on appeal in June and Richardson was released in early August. He also had several coaching stints in the Canadian Football League before joining the St. Louis Rams as a scout in 2007, a position he holds today. The former McNeese State standout spent three seasons in the NFL, all with the Bears. 20% off everything ends soon. Charles Tillman likely being one of them considering how many people call him . In the fourth quarter, defensive lineman Richard Dent forced Brock to fumble, and linebacker Wilber Marshall picked up the loose ball and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown. This nickname is more than just awesome. Take a look at some of the best photos of former Bears players wearing the team's orange jerseys from 2004-2011. Now 56, Rains played seven years for the Bears (1981-87). Teddy bears are also cute and cute bear names would best fit those adorable cubs. Unique 85 Bears Posters designed and sold by artists. By that time, Doomsday added several new stars that included Randy White and Harvey Martin, who shared MVP honors in Dallas' Super Bowl win over Denver. See the sights from the festivities in Canton Ohio as Brian Urlacher received his gold jacket, rode in the HOF parade, and spoke at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For those unaware, the 1985 Chicago Bears are widely considered to be among the best football teams to ever hit the gridiron. He still competes in Masters athletics events, setting records in the 45- to 49-year-old age group in recent years in the 100 and 200 meters. Their 36-point margin of victory also topped the 29-point margin of victory that the Raiders recorded over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII.