Top Five Bears Tragedies: Part 1
The Bears have been around for over one hundred years at this point, we've had many triumphs and many failures. As much as we celebrate our victories we also need to remember our failures. So here is part one of my top five bears tragedies.
GEORGE HALAS FAILED TO SIGN THE FIRST-EVER NO. 1 DRAFT PICK IN NFL HISTORY
Back in its earliest days, the NFL Draft was far from the days-long spectacle we've come to expect toward the end of April.�It was a much simpler event to match the simpler times, but even then, it was the worst team that got to pick first. The Philadelphia Eagles, who brought up the rear in the 1935 NFL season with a 2-9 record, selected University of Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger � the first-ever Heisman Trophy winner, no less � with the first pick in the 1936 draft, but quickly traded his rights to the Chicago Bears. Naturally, owner-coach George Halas�(pictured above in the early '60s) was dead-set on signing the hometown hero, but in the end, he wasn't able to meet Berwanger's contract demands.
According to a 1940 article from the Berkeley Daily Gazette, Berwanger was insistent on receiving $15,000 from the Bears (talk about simpler times), but Halas didn't want to go a cent over $13,500. It was only a small difference, but both sides wouldn't budge; in 1937, the former college football star was still sending out feelers in hopes that "Papa Bear" would meet his contract demands. But when Halas still refused, Berwanger opted for a career as a foam rubber salesman (via History). He also worked as a referee and as an assistant coach in the college ranks, but never did he play a down of professional football.
