Chicago Bears History - On This Day

Events in Sport

• 1920-10-17 Decatur Staleys, later known as Chicago Bears, play 1st American Professional Football Association game against an affiliated APFA team; beat Rock Island Independents, 7-0 at Douglas Park, Rock Island, Illinois

Chicago Bears Renamed

1922-06-24 Charter NFL club Chicago Staleys renamed Chicago Bears by team founder, owner and head coach George Halas

• 1922-10-01 Former Chicago Staleys play first NFL game as Chicago Bears; beat Racine Legion, 6-0 at Horlick Field, Racine, Wisconsin

• 1925-12-06 Record 73,000 pay to watch Chicago Bears beat NY Giants 19-7
• 1929-11-28 Chicago fullback Ernie Nevers sets NFL record for most points scored in a single game with all 40 in the Cardinals' 40–6 rout of Chicago Bears; Nevers has NFL record 6 touchdowns and 4 extra points
• 1932-12-18 National Football League Championship; Playoff, Chicago Stadium: Chicago Bears beat Portsmouth Spartans, 9-0
• 1933-04-17 Chicago Bears win their 1st NFL Game beating NY Giants 23-21
• 1933-11-05 Chicago Bears 30 game unbeaten streak ends to Patriots (10-0)
• 1933-11-12 1st NFL football game on a Sunday at Philadelphia's Baker Bowl - sporting events on Sunday had been illegal on Sundays; Eagles tie Chicago Bears, 3-3

• 1934-08-31 1st NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Chicago Bears 0, All-Stars 0 (79,432)
• 1934-11-29 Chicago Bears beat Detroit (19-16) in 1st NFL game broadcast nationally

• 1935-08-29 2nd NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Chicago Bears 5, All-Stars 0 (77,450)
• 1937-12-12 National Football League Championship, Wrigley Field, Chicago: Washington Redskins beat Chicago Bears, 28-21
• 1938-09-18 Chicago Bears beat Green Bay Packers 2-0
• 1938-10-09 Cleveland Rams and Chicago Bears play one of only 4 penalty free games in NFL history; Rams win 14-7 at Cleveland Stadium
• 1940-12-08 National Football League Championship, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.: Chicago Bears beat Washington Redskins, 73-0; most one-sided victory in NFL history; first NFL title game broadcast on national radio

Harmon 1st Draft Pick

1940-12-10 1941 NFL Draft: Tom Harmon from University of Michigan first pick by Chicago Bears

• 1940-12-29 3rd NFL All Star Game: Chicago Bears beats NFL All-Stars, 28-14
• 1941-08-28 8th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Chicago Bears 37, All-Stars 13 (98,203)
• 1941-12-21 Chicago Bears Ray McLean makes last NFL drop kick for an extra point
• 1941-12-21 National Football League Championship, Wrigley Field, Chicago: Chicago Bears beat New York Giants, 37-9; first team in NFL championship game era (since 1933) to win consecutive titles; Bears 5th title overall
• 1942-01-04 4th NFL All Star Game, Polo Grounds, NYC: Chicago Bears beat NFL All-Stars, 35-24
• 1942-08-28 9th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Chicago Bears 21, All-Stars 0 (101,100)
• 1942-12-13 National Football League Championship, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.: Washington Redskins upset Chicago Bears, 14-6
• 1943-11-14 Chic Bear Sid Luckman passes for 7 touchdowns vs NY Giants (56-7)
• 1943-12-26 National Football League Championship, Wrigley Field, Chicago: Chicago Bears beat Washington Redskins, 41-21; Bears 6th title
• 1944-08-30 11th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Chicago Bears 24, All-Stars 21 (48,769)
• 1946-12-15 National Football League Championship, Polo Grounds, NYC: Chicago Bears beat New York Giants, 24-14; record attendance 58,346 at final NFL title game played at Polo Grounds
• 1946-12-16 1947 NFL Draft: Bob Fenimore from University of Oklahoma A&M first pick by Chicago Bears
• 1947-08-22 14th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: All-Stars 16, Chicago Bears 0 (105,840)
• 1949-12-11 Chicago Bear Johnny Lujack passes for 6 touchdowns vs Chicago Cards (52-29)
• 1951-11-25 Cleveland Browns penalized a record 209 yards against Chicago Bears
• 1951-11-25 Cleveland halfback Dub Jones ties the NFL record for most touchdowns in a game crossing for 6 in Browns 42-21 win v Chicago Bears at Cleveland Stadium
• 1952-11-27 Only win ever for NFL's Dallas Texans (1-11), beating the Chicago Bears, 27-23 at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio [1]
• 1955-10-01 Baltimore Colts fullback Alan Ameche becomes the first rookie in NFL history to top 100 yards rushing in his first 2 games; totals 153 against Detroit Lions after 194 yards in debut v Chicago Bears
• 1956-12-30 National Football League Championship, Yankee Stadium, NYC: New York Giants beat Chicago Bears, 47-7; Giants' 4th NFL title
• 1958-11-02 Los Angeles Rams beat Chicago Bears, 41-35 before 90,833 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum; NFL single-game attendance record
• 1959-01-11 9th NFL Pro Bowl, LA Memorial Coliseum: Eastern Conference beats Western Conference, 28-21; MVPs: Frank Gifford, NY Giants, HB; Doug Atkins, Chicago Bears, DE
• 1960-08-15 Chicago Bears beat NY Giants 16-7 in Toronto (NFL expo)
• 1961-01-14 Chicago Bear Willard Dewveall becomes 1st NFLer to join AFL
• 1961-08-05 Chicago Bears (NFL) beat Montreal Alouettes (CFL), 34-16 in a pre-season exhibition at Molson Stadium in Montreal

Sports History

1961-09-17 Fran Tarkenton plays his first NFL Game against the Chicago Bears, coming off the bench to lead the Vikings to a 37-13 victory, also becoming the only QB to throw four touchdown passes in his first career game

• 1961-09-17 Minnesota Vikings' 1st NFL game (beat Chicago Bears 37-13)
• 1963-12-29 National Football League Championship, Wrigley Field, Chicago: Chicago Bears beat New York Giants, 14-10; Giants 3rd consecutive championship defeat; played in temperatures under 10 °F (−12 °C)

Sayers Touchdown Record

1965-12-12 Chicago halfback Gale Sayers ties NFL record for most touchdowns in a game with 6 in 61–20 victory over San Francisco 49ers at Wrigley Field

• 1967-01-22 17th NFL Pro Bowl, LA Memorial Coliseum: East beats West, 20-10; MVPs: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears, HB; Floyd Peters, Philadelphia Eagles, DT
• 1968-01-21 18th NFL Pro Bowl, LA Memorial Coliseum: West beats East, 38-20; MVPs: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears, HB; Dave Robinson, Green Bay Packers, DT
• 1970-01-18 20th NFL Pro Bowl, LA Memorial Coliseum: West beats East, 16-13; MVPs: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears, HB; George Andrie, Dallas Cowboys, DE
• 1971-11-30 Emmy and Peabody Award-winning TV movie "Brian's Song", about the friendship of Chicago Bears football teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers (based on Sayers' autobiography) premieres on ABC, starring James Caan and Billie Dee Williams
• 1975-11-23 Bob Thomas of Chicago Bears kicks 55-yard field goal
• 1978-01-23 NFL Pro Bowl, Tampa Stadium: NFC beats AFC, 14-13; MVP: Walter Peyton, Chicago Bears, RB
• 1982-09-19 New Orleans Saints 1st road shutout victory beating Chicago Bears 10-0
• 1983-09-18 New Orleans Saints 1st OT victory; beating Chicago Bears 34-31
• 1985-01-06 NFC Championship, Candlestick Park, SF: San Francisco 49ers beat Chicago Bears, 23-0

Chicago's Only Loss

1985-12-02 Chicago Bears' head coach Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan almost come to blows at halftime in a 38-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins at the Orange Bowl, Miami; Chicago's only loss of the NFL season

• 1986-01-12 NFC Championship, Soldier Field, Chicago: Chicago Bears beat Los Angeles Rams, 24-0
• 1986-01-26 Super Bowl XX, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana: Chicago Bears beat New England Patriots, 46-10; MVP: Richard Dent, Chicago, DE
• 1986-08-03 First NFL 'American Bowl' exhibition game at London's Wembley Stadium, Chicago Bears beat Dallas Cowboys 17-6

The 1988 Fog Bowl

1988-12-31 "The Fog Bowl", a heavy, dense fog rolls over Soldier Field in Chicago during second quarter of the Bears vs Eagles NFC Divisional Playoff Game, cuts visibility to 15-20 yards (Bears win 20-12)

• 1989-01-08 NFC Championship, Soldier Field, Chicago: San Francisco 49ers beat Chicago Bears, 28-3
• 2004-09-12 Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears 20-16 at Soldier Field to snap their NFL-record 24-game road losing streak
• 2007-01-21 NFC Championship, Soldier Field, Chicago: Chicago Bears beat New Orleans Saints, 39-14

• 2011-01-23 NFC Championship, Soldier Field, Chicago: Green Bay Packers beat Chicago Bears, 21-14
• 2013-12-09 Mike Ditka's #89 jersey is retired by the Chicago Bears
• 2018-09-09 Green Bay Packers start 100th season with historic 24-23 comeback win over Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field; first ever Packer recovery from 17+ points deficit at 3/4 time (20-3)

Brady's 600th Touchdown Pass

2021-10-24 Tom Brady becomes first quarterback in NFL history to record 600 touchdown passes when he hits Mike Evans in 1st quarter of the Buccaneers 38-3 rout of the Chicago Bears in Tampa Bay

Birthdays in Sport

Birthdays 1 - 100 of 106

• 1894-12-28 Ed Healey, American NFL player (Rock Island Independents, Chicago Bears), born in Springfield, Massachusetts (d. 1978)

George Halas (1895-1983)

1895-02-02 American Pro Football HOF coach (NFL C'ship 1921, 32, 33, 40, 41, 43, 46, 63; NFL Coach of the Year 1963, 65 Chicago Bears) and executive (owner Chicago Bears 1921-83), born in Chicago, Illinois

• 1896-01-11 Paddy Driscoll, American NFL quarterback and coach (Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears), born in Evanston, Illinois (d. 1968)
• 1896-12-06 George Trafton, American NFL center (Chicago Bears), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1971)
• 1898-11-30 Roy "Link" Lyman, American Pro Football HOF offensive tackle (4 × NFL C'ship; First-team All-Pro 1930, 34; Chicago Bears), born in Table Rock, Nebraska (d. 1972)
• 1903-05-27 Walt Kiesling, American Pro Football Hall of Fame guard (NFL 1920s All-Decade Team; First-team All-Pro 1929, 30, 32; Chicago Cardinals, Chicago Bears) and coach (Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers), born in Saint Paul, Minnesota (d. 1962)

• 1905-04-17 Herb Joesting, College Football Hall of Fame halfback/fullback (Uni of Minnesota; Chicago Bears), born in Little Falls, Minnesota (d. 1963)

• 1909-10-08 Bill Hewitt, American Pro Football HOF end (4 × First-team All-Pro; Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles; one last players to not wear a helmet), born in Bay City, Michigan (d. 1947)
• 1910-04-08 George Musso, American NFL guard (Chicago Bears), born in Collinsville, Illinois (d. 2000)
• 1912-03-03 Joe Stydahar, American NFL player and coach (Chicago Bears), born in Kaylor, Pennsylvania (d. 1977)
• 1915-12-29 Bill Osmanski, American College Football HOF fullback (Holy Cross; NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43, 46; 3 × Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1939; Chicago Bears), born in Providence, Rhode Island (d. 1996)
• 1916-04-11 Dan Fortmann, American College/Pro Football HOF guard (3 × NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43 Chicago Bears; 6 × First-team All-Pro; 3 × Pro Bowl), born in Pearl River, New York (d. 1995)
• 1916-09-25 Jim Benton, American football end (All Pro 1945, 46; NFL 1940s All-Decade Team; Cleveland/LA Rams, Chicago Bears; first to rush 300+ yards 1945), born in Carthage, Arkansas (d. 2001)
• 1916-11-21 Sid Luckman, American College-Pro Football HOF quarterback (Columbia University; 4 × NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43, 46; NFL MVP 1943; 5 × First-team All-Pro; 3 × Pro Bowl; Chicago Bears), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1998)
• 1918-03-13 George McAfee, American College-Pro Football HOF utility (Duke University; NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 46; First-team All-Pro & NFL All-Star 1941; Chicago Bears), born in Corbin, Kentucky (d. 2009)
• 1919-11-10 Bulldog Turner, American Pro/College Football HOF center (Hardin–Simmons Uni; 7 × First-team All-Pro; 4 x Pro Bowl; Chicago Bears), born in Plains, Texas (d. 1998)
• 1925-01-04 Johnny Lujack, American College Football HOF quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1947; National C'ship 1943, 46-47; Notre Dame; Pro Bowl 1950-51; Chicago Bears), born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania (d. 2023)
• 1925-01-21 George Conner, American College and Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle / linebacker (Pro Bowl 1950–53; First-team All-Pro 1950–53, 55; Chicago Bears), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2003)

George Blanda (1927-2010)

1927-09-17 American Pro Football HOF quarterback/placekicker (AFL C'ship 1960, 61 [MVP], 67; First-team All-AFL 1961; 4 × AFL All-Star; Chicago Bears, Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders), born in Youngwood, Pennsylvania

• 1929-10-27 Bill George, American Pro Football HOF linebacker (8 × First-team All-Pro; 8 × Pro Bowl; Chicago Bears, LA Rams), born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania (d. 1982)
• 1930-04-02 Bill McColl, American College Football Hall of Fame end (Stanford University; Chicago Bears 1952-59), born in San Diego, California (d. 2023)
• 1930-05-08 Doug Atkins, American College/Pro Football HOF defensive end (Uni of Tennessee; NFL C'ship 1954, 63; First-team All-Pro 1963; 8×Pro Bowl; Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, NO Saints), born in Humbolt Tennessee (d. 2015)
• 1930-10-04 Bill Wade, American NFL quarterback (Pro Bowl 1958, 63; LA Rams, Chicago Bears), born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 2016)
• 1931-07-04 Rick Casares, American NFL fullback (Chicago Bears), born in Tampa, Florida (d. 2013)
• 1933-12-10 Larry Morris, American College Football HOF iinebacker (NCAA C'ship 1952 Georgia Tech; NFL C'ship 1963 Chicago Bears), born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 2012)
• 1935-04-20 Jon Arnett, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (USC; 5 × Pro Bowl; LA Rams, Chicago Bears), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2021)
• 1937-07-04 Roosevelt Taylor, American football safety (Pro Bowl 1963, 68; First Team All-Pro 1963; Chicago Bears, SF 49ers, Washington Redskins), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2020)
• 1941-02-16 Bill Tobin, American football executive (GM Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts), born in Burlington Junction, Missouri (d. 2024)
• 1942-02-10 Howard Mudd, American football OL (Pro Bowl 1966–68; All-Pro 1967-68; SF 49ers, Chicago Bears) and coach (Super Bowl 2006; OL Indianapolis Colts), born in Midland, Michigan (d. 2020)
• 1942-12-09 Dick Butkus, American College-Pro Football HOF linebacker (Uni of Illinois; NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1969, 70; 5×First-team All-Pro; 8xPro Bowl; Chicago Bears), sportscaster (CBS, ESPN) and actor (My Two Dads), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2023) [1]

Gale Sayers (1943-2020)

1943-05-30 American College and Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback, 4X Pro Bowl, 2X NFL rushing leader (Chicago Bears), and source for the TV movie "Brian's Song", born in Wichita, Kansas [1]

• 1943-10-31 Brian Piccolo, American NFL football running back, 1965-69 (Chicago Bears), and subject of the 1971 TV movie "Brian's Song", born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (d. 1970)
• 1943-12-11 Michael McCaskey, American football executive (Chicago Bears president 1983-98; chairman 1999-2011), born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (d. 2020)
• 1944-01-01 Dick Gordon, American NFL wide receiver (Pro Bowl 1970-71, Chicago Bears), born in Cincinnati, Ohio
• 1945-05-02 Loyd Phillips, American College Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman (University of Arkansas; Chicago Bears), born in Fort Worth, Texas (d. 2020)
• 1954-06-11 Gary Fencik, American football safety (Super Bowl 1985; First-team All-Pro 1981; Pro Bowl 1980, 81; Chicago Bears), born in Chicago, Illinois

• 1955-06-14 Vince Evans, American football quarterback (USC; MVP Rose Bowl 1977; NFL: Chicago Bears, LA / Oakland Raiders), born in Greensboro, North Carolina
• 1957-10-17 Steve McMichael, American Pro Football HOF defensive tackle (Uni of Texas; Super Bowl XX; First-team All-Pro 1985, 87; Pro Bowl 1986, 87, Chicago Bears), born in Houston, Texas
• 1958-05-08 Lovie Smith, American football coach (NFL Coach of the Year 2005 Chicago Bears; TB Buccaneers, Houston Texans; Uni of Illinois), born in Gladewater, Texas
• 1959-08-21 Jim McMahon, NFL quarterback (Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles)
• 1959-10-09 Mike Singletary, American NFL middle linebacker (Chicago Bears), born in Houston, Texas
• 1960-12-13 Richard Dent, American football Hall of Fame defensive end, 1983-97 (MVP, Super Bowl XX - Chicago Bears; 3 other teams), born in Atlanta, Georgia
• 1962-03-08 Shaun Gayle, American football strong safety (Super Bowl 1985; Pro Bowl 1991; Chicago Bears, SD Chargers), born in Newport News, Virginia
• 1962-04-18 Wilber Marshall, American College Football HOF linebacker (Uni of Florida; Super Bowl 1985 Chicago Bears, 1991 Washington Redskins; 3 x Pro Bowl; 2 x All Pro), born in Titusville, Florida
• 1962-07-24 Kevin Butler, American College Football HOF placekicker (University of Georgia; Super Bowl 1985 Chicago Bears), born in Savannah, Georgia
• 1962-12-16 William "The Refrigerator" Perry, NFL defensive lineman (Chicago Bears), born in Aiken, South Carolina
• 1963-12-23 Jim Harbaugh, NFL quarterback (Pro Bowl 1995; Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts) and coach (Stanford 2007–10; SF 49ers 2011–14; Michigan (2015–20), born in Toledo, Ohio
• 1964-11-06 Erik Kramer [William Erik Kramer], American former NFL quarterback (Chicago Bears), born in Encino, California
• 1964-11-26 Jeff Jaeger, American NFL kicker (Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears), born in Tacoma, Washington
• 1965-10-24 Vernice Smith, American NFL guard (Phoenix Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, St Louis Rams), born in Orlando, Florida
• 1966-09-28 Scott Adams, American NFL offensive linesman (Chicago Bears), born in Lake City, Florida (d. 2013)
• 1966-11-21 Jerry Fontenot, NFL center/guard (Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints)
• 1967-01-01 Andy Heck, American NFL tackle and coach (Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears; coach University of Virginia), born in Fargo, North Dakota
• 1967-02-20 Tom Waddle, NFL player (Chicago Bears/Cincinnati Bengals)
• 1967-03-16 John Mangum, NFL safety (Chicago Bears)
• 1967-10-25 Anthony Johnson, American NFL fullback (Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers), born in Indianapolis, Indiana
• 1968-02-05 Will Furrer, American football quarterback (Chicago Bears, Houston Oilers), born in Danville, Pennsylvania
• 1968-02-17 Bryan Cox, American NFL linebacker and coach (Pro Bowl 1992, 94, 95; Super Bowl 2001 NE Patriots; Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears), born in East St. Louis, Illinois
• 1968-03-07 Ricky Proehl, American NFL wide receiver (Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears), born in New York City
• 1968-04-28 Mark Carrier, American football safety (NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year 1990 Chicago Bears; 3 × Pro Bowl; Detroit Lions), born in Lake Charles, Louisiana
• 1969-02-14 Jeff Graham, American NFL wide receiver (Chicago Bears, NY Jets), born in Dayton, Ohio
• 1969-03-13 Chris Zorich, American NFL defensive tackle (Chicago Bears), born in Chicago, Illinois
• 1969-04-07 Jeremy Lincoln, NFL cornerback (Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks)
• 1969-06-18 Jay Leeuwenburg, American NFL guard/center (Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts), born in St. Louis, Missouri
• 1969-06-26 Troy Auzenne, American NFL tackle (Chicago Bears), born in El Monte, California
• 1970-01-14 Tyrone Hughes, American NFL cornerback (New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears), born in New Orleans, Louisiana
• 1970-02-19 Garland Hawkins, American NFL defensive end (Chicago Bears), born in Washington, D.C.
• 1970-03-19 Rick Mirer, NFL quarterback (Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears)
• 1970-05-17 Matt Eberflus, American NFL football coach (Chicago Bears, 2022-), born in Toledo, Ohio
• 1970-08-09 Chris Gedney, American NFL tight end, 1993-2000 (Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals), born in Wilmington, Delaware (d. 2018)
• 1970-09-09 Mike Faulkerson, American football fullback (Chicago Bears), born in Kingsport, Tennessee
• 1970-09-16 Anthony Marshall, American NFL safety (Chicago Bears), born in Mobile, Alabama
• 1970-11-05 Ryan Wetnight, American NFL tight end (Chicago Bears), born in Fresno, California
• 1971-01-06 Myron Baker, NFL linebacker (Chicago Bears), born in Haughton, Louisiana
• 1971-02-19 Glyn Milburn, American football running back/kick returner (First-team All-Pro 1999; Pro Bowl 1995, 99; Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears), born in Los Angeles, California
• 1971-03-13 Curtis Conway, American NFL wide receiver (Chicago Bears, SD Chargers) and broadcaster (Compass Media Networks, Pac-12 Network), born in Los Angeles, California
• 1971-04-20 Chris Penn, NFL wide receiver (KC Chiefs, Chicago Bears), born in Lenapah, Oklahoma
• 1971-04-27 James Burton, NFL cornerback (Chicago Bears), born in Torrance, California
• 1971-08-27 Jim Flanigan, NFL defensive tackle (Chicago Bears)
• 1971-09-27 Alonzo Spellman, NFL defensive end (Chicago Bears)
• 1971-09-28 Marcus Spears, American NFL/WLAF guard/tackle (Chicago Bears, Amsterdam Admirals)
• 1971-12-17 Carl Reeves, NFL defensive end (Chicago Bears)
• 1971-12-23 Steve Stenstrom, American football quarterback (Chicago Bears), born in Lake Forest, California
• 1972-03-08 Pat Riley, NFL defensive end (Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks)
• 1972-06-23 Larry Whigham, American football safety (First-team All-Pro 1997, 2001; Pro Bowl 1997, 2001; NE Patriots, Chicago Bears), born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
• 1972-08-14 Evan Pilgrim, American NFL guard (Chicago Bears), born in Pittsburg, California
• 1972-11-11 Jack Jackson, NFL/CFL wide receiver (Chicago Bears, Toronto Argonauts), born in Moss Point, Mississippi
• 1973-01-04 Todd Sauerbrun, American football punter (First-team All-Pro & NFL punting yards leader 2001, 02; Pro Bowl 2001. 02, 03; Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers), born in East Setauket, New York
• 1973-01-07 Bobby Engram, American football wide receiver (Chicago Bears), born in Camden, South Carolina
• 1973-06-09 Chris Villarrial, American football player (Chicago Bears) and coach, born in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
• 1974-08-02 Paul Grasmanis, American defensive tackle (Chicago Bears), born in Grand Rapids, Michigan
• 1974-10-08 Rashaan Salaam, American College Football Hall of Fame running back (Heisman Trophy 1994, U of Colorado; NFL: Chicago Bears), born in San Diego, California (d. 2016)
• 1975-02-27 Marcus Robinson, American football wide receiver (Chicago Bears), born in Fort Valley, Georgia
• 1976-07-31 Marty Booker, American NFL wide receiver (Pro Bowl 2002, Chicago Bears), born in Jonesboro, Louisiana
• 1977-01-12 Cade McNown, American College Football HOF quarterback who won Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award 1998 UCLA; Chicago Bears, born in Portland, Oregon
• 1977-08-09 Adewale Ogunleye, American football player (Chicago Bears), born in Brooklyn, New York
• 1978-05-25 Brian Urlacher, American football player (Chicago Bears), born in Pasco, Washington

Weddings in Sport

• 2013-06-08 TV personality Kristin Cavallari (26) weds Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (30) in Nashville, Tennessee

Deaths in Sport

• 1947-01-14 Bill Hewitt, American Pro Football HOF end (4 × First-team All-Pro; Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles; one last players to not wear a helmet), dies in a car crash at 37
• 1963-10-02 Herb Joesting, College Football Hall of Fame halfback/fullback (Uni of Minnesota; Chicago Bears), dies from heart failure at 58
• 1968-06-29 Paddy Driscoll, American NFL quarterback and coach (Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears), dies at 73
• 1970-06-16 Brian Piccolo, American NFL football running back, 1965-69 (Chicago Bears), and subject of the 1971 TV movie "Brian's Song", dies of cancer at 26
• 1971-09-05 George Trafton, American NFL center (Chicago Bears), dies at 74
• 1972-12-28 Roy "Link" Lyman, American Pro Football HOF offensive tackle (4 × NFL C'ship; First-team All-Pro 1930, 34; Chicago Bears), dies in a motor accident at 74
• 1977-05-23 Joe Stydahar, American NFL player and coach (Chicago Bears), dies at 65
• 1978-12-09 Ed Healey, NFL tackle (Rock Island Independents, Chicago Bears), dies at 83
• 1982-09-30 Bill George, American Pro Football HOF linebacker (8 × First-team All-Pro; 8 × Pro Bowl; Chicago Bears, LA Rams), dies in a road accident at 52

• 1995-05-23 Dan Fortmann, American College/Pro Football HOF guard (3 × NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43 Chicago Bears; 6 × First-team All-Pro; 3 × Pro Bowl), dies from Alzheimer's disease at 79
• 1996-12-25 Bill Osmanski, American College Football HOF fullback (Holy Cross; NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43, 46; 3 × Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1939; Chicago Bears), dies at 80
• 1997-09-23 Abe Gibron, head coach (Chicago Bears), dies at 72
• 1998-07-05 Sid Luckman, American College-Pro Football HOF quarterback (Columbia University; 4 × NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43, 46; NFL MVP 1943; 5 × First-team All-Pro; 3 × Pro Bowl; Chicago Bears), dies at 81
• 1998-10-30 Bulldog Turner, American Pro/College Football HOF center (Hardin–Simmons Uni; 7 × First-team All-Pro; 4 x Pro Bowl; Chicago Bears), dies at 79

Walter Payton (1954-1999)

1999-11-01 American Pro Football HOF running back (NFL MVP 1977; 9 x Pro Bowl; 5 x First Team All Pro; Chicago Bears), dies of Cholangiocarcinoma at 45

• 2001-03-28 Jim Benton, American football end (All Pro 1945, 46; NFL 1940s All-Decade Team; Cleveland/LA Rams, Chicago Bears; first to rush 300+ yards 1945), dies at 84
• 2003-03-31 George Conner, American College and Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle / linebacker (Pro Bowl 1950–53; First-team All-Pro 1950–53, 55; Chicago Bears), dies at 78
• 2009-03-04 George McAfee, American College-Pro Football HOF utility (Duke University; NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 46; First-team All-Pro & NFL All-Star 1941; Chicago Bears), dies at 90

George Blanda (1927-2010)

2010-09-27 American Pro Football HOF quarterback/placekicker (AFL C'ship 1960, 61 [MVP], 67; First-team All-AFL 1961; 4 × AFL All-Star; Chicago Bears, Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders), dies at 83

• 2012-12-19 Larry Morris, American College Football HOF iinebacker (NCAA C'ship 1952 Georgia Tech; NFL C'ship 1963 Chicago Bears), dies at 79
• 2013-09-16 Scott Adams, American NFL offensive linesman (Chicago Bears), dies of a heart attack at 46
• 2015-12-30 Doug Atkins, American College/Pro Football HOF defensive end (Uni of Tennessee; NFL C'ship 1954, 63; First-team All-Pro 1963; 8×Pro Bowl; Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, NO Saints), dies at 85
• 2016-03-09 Bill Wade, American NFL quarterback (Pro Bowl 1958, 63; LA Rams, Chicago Bears), dies at 85
• 2016-12-05 Rashaan Salaam, American College Football Hall of Fame running back (Heisman Trophy 1994, U of Colorado; NFL: Chicago Bears), dies at 42
• 2018-03-09 Chris Gedney, American NFL tight end, 1993-2000 (Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals), takes his own life at 47
• 2020-05-16 Michael McCaskey, American football executive (Chicago Bears president 1983-98; chairman 1999-2011), dies from cancer at 76
• 2020-05-29 Roosevelt Taylor, American football safety (Pro Bowl 1963, 68; First Team All-Pro 1963; Chicago Bears, SF 49ers, Washington Redskins), dies at 82
• 2020-08-12 Howard Mudd, American football OL (Pro Bowl 1966–68; All-Pro 1967-68; SF 49ers, Chicago Bears) and coach (Super Bowl 2006; OL Indianapolis Colts), dies after a motorcycle accident at 78

Gale Sayers (1943-2020)

2020-09-23 American College and Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback, 4X Pro Bowl, 2X NFL rushing leader (Chicago Bears), and source for the TV movie "Brian's Song", dies from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at 77 [1]

• 2020-12-27 Loyd Phillips, American College Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman (University of Arkansas; Chicago Bears), dies from a stroke at 75
• 2021-01-16 Jon Arnett, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (USC; 5 × Pro Bowl; LA Rams, Chicago Bears), dies from heart failure at 85
• 2023-07-25 Johnny Lujack, American College Football HOF quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1947; National C'ship 1943, 46-47; Notre Dame; Pro Bowl 1950-51; Chicago Bears), dies at 98
• 2023-10-05 Dick Butkus, American College-Pro Football HOF linebacker (Uni of Illinois; NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1969, 70; 5×First-team All-Pro; 8xPro Bowl; Chicago Bears), sportscaster (CBS, ESPN) and actor (My Two Dads), dies at 80 [1]
• 2023-12-28 Bill McColl, American College Football Hall of Fame end (Stanford University; Chicago Bears 1952-59), dies at 93
• 2024-04-19 Bill Tobin, American football executive (GM Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts), dies at 83

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