Just how crazy good was the 1985 chicago bears defense. The 1985 bears defense produced four nfl head coaches and two hall of famers not counting head coach mike ditka, plus two additional defensive specialists in ryans two young sons, who currently. Ryans playbook was meticulous and seemed to account. How badly they trounced sound competition has resonated for decades. Former 85 bears receiver dennis mckinnon, a selfdescribed. Looking for a sports nerds take on what will happen sunday. Buddy ryans 1985 chicago bears defense allowed a total of 10 points in three postseason games. Dennis mckinnon goes deep in his book, silky d bares all, written with. The 1985 chicago bears and the wild heart of football. The 1985 bears defense was remarkable for the brutality it inflicted on opponents. Since the adoption of the 16game schedule in 1978, the 1985 chicago bears are the only team to score 400 or more points while allowing fewer than 200. Not only did the bears improve on that record, but. The sporting news complete super bowl book 1995 isbn 089204523x.
The new york times bestselling gripping account of a onceinalifetime football team and their lone championship season for rich cohen and millions of other fans, the 1985 chicago bears were more than a football team. The bears 1985 defense is widely considered one of the best in nfl history, allowing only 12. Led by the great walter payton, who ran for 1,551 yards and a 4. Mother of 3 convicted of killing exchicago bears players. The 1985 season was the chicago bears 66th in the national football league the 16th. If you live in new jersey, they also have a special offer for just. Jim mcmahon sportscentury documentary 1985 chicago bears duration. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Chicago accomplished this even though two fulltime defensive starters from. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Here are some of the reasons why the 1985 bears were special. The hatred between mike ditka and buddy ryan, the 46 defense and its goal of. Name age pos wt ht college collegemascot birthdate yrs. The rise and fall of the 1985 chicago bears, the greatest.
But mostly its about being a fanabout loving too much. The bears played 19 games in the 1985 season and playoffs. Is patrick mahomes a good bet to win super bowl mvp. The 1985 chicago bears and the wild heart of football rich. Da bears how the 1985 monsters of the midway became the. Unlike most other defenses, the 46 is not named for the alignment of the dl and lbs. The talented, hardnosed wide receiver and punt returner played a pivotal role on the 1985 super bowl.
Like the beatles, there was a bear for every sort of fan, rich cohen wrote in monsters. For rich cohen and millions of other fans, the 1985 chicago bears were more than a. I am a miami dolphins fan and since the dolphins were the only team to defeat the great 1985 bears interest of that team is always high for me. For rich cohen and millions of other fans, the 1985 chicago bears were more than. The best ever defense from the historian view of the chancellor of footballs view was the 1985 chicago bears hands down. By the time 85 arrived, chicago often had teams beat before the first snap. That i loved this book probably says as much about me as it does about the book.
For the 1985 chicago bears, one hit made their seasonand the teamagainst lions quarterback joe ferguson. Cohen, the fish that ate the whale, who grew up as a suburban chicago bears fan and witnessed firsthand the bears victory when he was 17, deftly captures how the team played with a gleeful. It was the kind of hit everyone remembers, and one that it is illegal today. The bears defense was brilliant in 1984, leading the nfl in overall defense, rushing defense and sacks. Dan danimal hampton and the brutal monsters of the midway defense. For those who lived in chicago in 1985, the chicago bears were the team to remember and certainly the one for the ages.
It was the first murder deerfield had seen in 30 years and gayle had been a safety on the celebrated chicago bears team that won the 1985 super bowl. This is a book about america at its most nonsensical, delirious, and joyful. Gamebygame predictions for the whole season bears 2020 schedule. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Lets open another can of quarterback, bears defensive coordinator. The 1985 chicago bears and the wild heart of football, a portrait not merely of a team but of a city and a game. There are teams that are fairhaired, and those that arent so fairhaired. I was expecting a fluff type book describing these colorful 1985 bears but instead of a kindle book celebrating the hard partying bears i got a great history lesson of the chicago bears.
Mckinnon was an undrafted free agent rookie when he joined the chicago bears in 1983. View the 1985 chicago bears schedule, results and scores for regular season, preseason and postseason nfl games. Why the 1985 bears were so perfect for chicago chicago magazine. The 46 defense was made famous by buddy ryan and the super bowl xx champion 1985 chicago bears. The 1985 chicago bears and the wild heart of football about the 85 team interested me so much when it. But rich cohen, better known as an essayist and editor than a sports writer, brings together an oral history of the bears featuring many wellknown football figures, including coach. Dan hampton, danimal, the ferocious defensive tackle, for band. The 1985 season was the chicago bears 66th in the national football league the 16th postseason completed in the nfl, and their fourth under head coach mike ditka 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. The bears defense was loaded with stars during the 1985 season, and three of those players were later inducted into the pro football hall of fame. The bears defense was ranked first in the league and only allowed 198 total points an average of 12.
A new book revisits the 1985 chicago bears, whose iconic coachesmike ditka and defensive coordinator buddy ryandespised each other. The 46 was named after chicago bears hardhitting safety doug plank who wore number 46. Chicago bears players listed alphabetically or numerically. The 1985 chicago bears and the wild heart of football cohen. What the 85 bears does, much like rich cohens 20 book on the team. The collection of players chicago put together not just on defense, but also offense, made them one of the most talented teams ever assembled. The 1985 chicago bears joined the most exclusive fraternity imaginable, the tiniest handful of teams that are so great, so memorable, so oncein. Nfl schedule reframes the nfc north title race 2020 nfl schedule release.
A complete listing of current chicago bears players. Every week during the season, well send you an email to your inbox with scores, this weeks schedule, top performers, fantasy drops and adds, new debuts and interesting tidbits. I grew up in chicago in the 1980s and watched every single one of their games on tv. Nfl greatest games series 1985 chicago bears dvd, 2007. This was published in the january 10, 1986 chicago sun times. Dennis mckinnon outruns the tampa bay defense on a 65yard punt return. Rich cohens monsters is the best book on professional football i knowthe best. Swagger of 1985 chicago bears still vivid 30 years later. The 1985 chicago bears and the wild heart of football is a touching portrait of what is arguably one of the bestand most colorfulfootball teams ever.
54 1383 234 729 1223 1377 272 614 1264 208 786 852 1520 49 960 427 1211 507 998 1145 484 1425 180 945 831 1125 1296 830 934 1468 70