Top Moments in Bears History
Over the last 101 years, the Chicago Bears have been a staple of the NFL, they have had many amazing moments, championships, victories, and hardships. Today I'd like to suggest five moments I think qualify as the greatest in Bear's history.
5. George Halas makes the big move
George Halas was the head coach of the Decatur Staleys in 1920, the second year the team was around. Halas led the team to a 10-2-1 record, but they still had financial issues. In turn, founder Augustus E. Staley turned the team over to Halas's control. Halas ended up moving the team to Chicago and received a $5,000 bonus as long as he kept the name Staleys for one season. In 1921, they were called the Chicago Staley's before changing the team to the Bears in 1922. By changing the name to the Bears they were allowed to play their home games at Wrigley Field.
4. In the first round of the 1965 draft, the Bears selected Dick Butkus and followed that up by selecting Gale Sayers. Butkus spent his entire career with the Bears being named to eight straight Pro Bowls. Sayers' career was cut short, but he was still named to four Pro Bowls. The 1965 draft is the only time that the same team selected two players in the first round, and both players ended up in the Hall of Fame.
3. Devin Hester goes all the way
Devin Hester had one of the best rookie seasons a return specialist could ask for. In Super Bowl XLI against the Indianapolis Colts, Hester returned the opening kick for a touchdown. That was the first time ever in a Super Bowl that the opening kickoff was taken back to the end zone. Watching him play that year was ridiculous and him not being a first-ballot HOF is a crime.
2. Bears select Walter Payton
Most argue that Walter Payton is the best player in Bear's history. The Bears selected Payton fourth overall in the 1975 draft, a move that changed the franchise forever. During his 13-year career, he was named to nine Pro Bowl's and in 1977 he was named the MVP of the league. Payton also did a lot of work off the field and some remember him now more for his humanitarian work. The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is given annually to recognize a player for their off-the-field accomplishments.
1. Bears win Super Bowl XX
The 1985 season for the Bears was all about the defense, and they capped it off in the best way possible, with a defensive showcase in Super Bowl XX.The Bear's offense was elite against the New England Patriots scoring 46 points, but people still talk about what the defense did in that game. They gave up only ten points and the Patriots were held to only 123 yards of total offense on 54 plays. The Patriots only rushed for seven yards and didn't do a whole lot better through the air.
