Thread by @readjack, Does anyone else have random sports plays burned in their memory? This [...]

Does anyone else have random sports plays burned in their memory? This one-handed TD grab by Bears tight end Chris Gedney in 1994 expanded my imagination of what NFL catches could look like. It was the number-one catch I practiced in the backyard, at gym, etc. @WCGridiron

Here are other angles of that awesome Chris Gedney touchdown catch from '94. This was Steve Walsh's 1st TD of the season and Gedney's final as a Bear — and all in a win in one of the coolest seasons of Bears football I've witnessed. @WCGridiron

Full:

More favorite Bears moments: opening week 1992, when @CoachJim4UM hit @TWaddle87 for a game-winning touchdown pass to beat the Lions with one second remaining. @WCGridiron

https://www.instagram.com/ashotonehlo/

This was another play that my friends and I recreated in our pickup games. s/o to @incredulicious on this one.

The Tribune celebrated a performance by Neal Anderson (84 yards on 18 touches with 2 TD) while @CoachJim4UM landed on the cover of @SInow.

@WCGridiron #BearDown

I've seen a lot of people missing the old Soldier Field columns. Props to @JerryAzumah for scoring the final Bears touchdown at old Soldier in our playoff loss to the Eagles. This game was a downer but this play and Ahmad Merritt's end-around TD were thrilling! @WCGridiron

I'm having so much fun chopping it up with Bears fans. @chbullssoxbears just brought up Rashied Davis's monster catch against Seattle. No Bears fan who saw this will ever forget it.

The story, as told by Rashied at @WCGridiron: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2016/10/19/13330432/rashied-davis-the-king-of-3rd-down-2006-bears-interview

Since @dezclark88 kickstarted some great Mitch Trubisky talk, here is probably my favorite play of #MoneyMitch's rookie year. The @WCGridiron gang was together watching this at a bar and we definitely lost our minds. @wiltfongjr @RobertZeglinski @BearsLink82 @SJS_illini

Mitch Trubisky is on pace to break Erik Kramer's franchise records for passing yards (3,838) and touchdowns (29) in a season. Here's what Kramer, @CurtisConway80, Jeff Graham and the rest of the Bears offense looked like in 1995.

@WCGridiron: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/10/25/18023506/mitch-trubisky-on-pace-first-bear-4000-yards-passing-or-30-touchdowns-kramer-luckman-cutler

#BearDown

We need a mixtape of Devin Hester's best returns that did NOT go for 6. People think his HOF candidacy is about 20 plays. It's not. It's about the TDs + overall field position on all other returns.

This on his 30th bday in 2012 is one of my favs:

@WCGridiron @HesterTotheHOF

The Bears are 8-3 lifetime against the Jets, with several thrilling wins. The one that @amund_joy, @davidbfitz13 and others love was our 1991 overtime comeback, capped off by a @CoachJim4UM touchdown run.

#BearDown

@WCGridiron

That 70-yard touchdown from Money Mitch to Tarik Cohen is the longest touchdown ever in the Bears-Jets rivalry. The previous long was a 57-yard catch-and-run from Rex to Mark Bradley (seen here). New York's longest is a 38-yard pick-6 by Otis Smith in 1997.

@WCGridiron @pfref

Tarik Cohen's 70-yard touchdown was the longest receiving TD for a Bears running back since Jeremy Langford bagged this 83-yarder in 2015.

@WCGridiron #BearDown @pfref

Great view of @TarikCohen’s 70-yard touchdown today, shot by @GBraggsJr. #BearDown

@WCGridiron

https://twitter.com/gbraggsjr/status/1056598685985976320?s=21

https://twitter.com/gbraggsjr/status/1056598685985976320?s=21

Happy Halloween to the @ChicagoBears, whose road to #SuperBowl XLI began on Halloween, 2004. @WCGridiron https://twitter.com/readjack/status/925387892922478592

https://twitter.com/readjack/status/925387892922478592

I wrote about Sid Luckman's 7-TD game in 1943, and the '43 season on a whole. It ended with our 41-21 title win over Washington. Here is one of Luckman's 2 INTs + 3 of his TDs. The screens to #8 are Dante Magnani. Burning!

@WCGridiron https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/11/1/17940586/sid-luckman-seven-touchdown-passes-chicago-bears-new-york-giants-nfl-record-sammy-baugh

Sid Luckman's 7 touchdown passes (common slang of the day: "aerials") against the Giants in 1943 remains the gold standard in the NFL record books. He also set a new single-game mark that day with 453 yards. #BearDown

@WCGridiron: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/11/1/17940586/sid-luckman-seven-touchdown-passes-chicago-bears-new-york-giants-nfl-record-sammy-baugh

Division games are great for a lot of reasons, but one is the mass of memories. Even though we lost, I still love the '99 game where @JimMiller_NFL passed for 422 yards and crushed with @Mrobinson8788 & Marty Booker.

@WCGridiron: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2017/8/2/16061558/the-legend-of-marcus-robinson-1999-chicago-bears-gary-crowton-cade-mcnown-jim-miller-curtis-conway

Regarding the aforementioned ‘99 Bears-Vikes game, this a great tidbit from @kfishbain: https://twitter.com/kfishbain/status/1061690151284432897?s=21

https://twitter.com/kfishbain/status/1061690151284432897?s=21

Can someone who is super duper at The Internet set the video of @EJackson_4's pick-6 from Sunday and him conducting his Bears orchestra to "I Only Have Eyes For You" by Eddie Jackson & His Orchestra? I would be grateful.

Read this until then: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/11/20/18104011/eddie-jackson-is-the-breakout-bears-defender-of-2018-mike-brown-charles-peanut-tillman-touchdown

@WCGridiron

I'm watching all of these @D_Hest23 returns, and this block by @brendon310 is a stunningly perfect mauling. I don't even know the terminology but watch how he keeps pushing dude back and then pancakes him. Lower left of the screen when Hester hits the Bears 35:

@WCGridiron

Get your Sid Luckman fix — one piece from me, and one from the great @danpompei at @TheAthleticCHI.

Me on Luckman's 7-TD game and magical 1943 season, at @WCGridiron: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/11/1/17940586/sid-luckman-seven-touchdown-passes-chicago-bears-new-york-giants-nfl-record-sammy-baugh

Dan on Luckman's creds as GOAT Bears QB: https://theathletic.com/678492/2018/11/27/can-anyone-touch-sid-luckman-as-the-greatest-bears-quarterback-of-all-time

art: @WhiskeyRanger29

this play will never not be gorgeous and thrilling and so damn fun.

@WCGridiron https://twitter.com/readjack/status/771177598219005952

https://twitter.com/readjack/status/771177598219005952

WOW. Akiem Hicks is the first Bears defender to score a rushing touchdown since... drumroll please... THE FRIDGE! William Perry's famous rumble in 1985 is joined at last, 33 years later.

Happy Rams week, Bears fans.

@WCGridiron @D_Hest23 @HesterTotheHOF #BearDown

Happy Rams week, Bears fans.

In 2018, let's bag some firsts.

@WCGridiron @GBraggsJr @Scott_CEOofSUH @BarbersChairNet #BearDown

Anyone else ready to smash the Rams?

@WCGridiron @Jmack37 #BearDown

I've never seen footage like this. Oct. 6, 1940, the Bears in Cleveland to battle the Rams. We won this game 21-14. Here are some 2nd quarter highlights... as they used to say... in living color!

@WCGridiron #BearDown

Full:
Box: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194010060ram.htm

It’s Clinch Week, Bears fans!

#BearDown @WCGridiron

On Sunday, the Bears can clinch the NFC North for the first time since Dec. 20, 2010.

That day, we beat the Vikings 40-14, behind two @D_Hest23 TDs: one reception, and one historic punt return that set a new NFL record for kick/punt return TDs.

#BearDown @WCGridiron

Never let other people define you — or the value of your talent.

When @D_Hest23 set the NFL record for KR/PR TDs, he told a story of coaches who had told him he would be “nothing but a kickoff and punt returner” in the NFL.

His response is the best.

#BearDown @WCGridiron

#DivisionClincher 2006:

Bears 23, Vikings 13

This game had the good ( @D_Hest23's 45-yard PR TD), the bad (Tommie Harris lost for the year with a knee injury) & the ugly (Rex had a 1.3 passer rating).

Below is the good :) And check out the block by @peanuttillman!

@WCGridiron

The last time we clinched the North vs. the Packers? Christmas Day, 2005, Bears 24, Packers 17.

We picked Favre four times. @LanceBriggs had a pick-6. @peanuttillman had 1. Chris Harris had 2.

@thomasqjones, @Jmack37 & @apgsu3 grinded all day.

Fabulous.

#BearDown @WCGridiron

More from that Christmas Day clincher against the Packers...

I love this on-the-field footage, from cameraman Dave Walker for @nbc15_madison. You can see how close this Bears team was. The camaraderie, and just the FUN.

These 2018 Bears have that.

@WCGridiron @AaronLemingNFL

#DivisionClincher 2001 — our first division title in 11 years came on a 33-13 shellacking of the Jaguars. A-Train had 160 yards. Our D sacked Brunell 4 times & picked him 3 times.

But the play of the game? Oh, you might remember...

@WCGridiron #KeithTraylor #BearDown

#DivisionClincher 1990 — the Bears clinch their 6th division title in 7 years, beating the Lions 23-17. @CoachJim4UM and Neal Anderson won it in OT with a 50-yard touchdown, the longest walkoff OT-TD from scrimmage in Bears history.

@WCGridiron #BearDown @WaddleandSilvy

#DivisionClincher 1985 — best division clincher of my life. Bears 44, Cowboys 0. This one is an all-timer. Sports Illustrated gave this game its cover, with a simple caption: "44-0"

#BearDown @WCGridiron

All told, the Bears have clinched six of our last seven division titles against a division rival:

1987: Vikings
1988: Lions
1990: Lions
(2001: Jaguars)
2005: Packers
2006: Vikings
2010: Vikings

Let's make it 7 of 8 this Sunday against the Packers!

#BearDown @WCGridiron

CLINCH.

Bears 24, Packers 17

Last division clinch against the Packers: Christmas 2005. Score:

Bears 24, Packers 17

#TheProphecyLives #HatTime @WCGridiron https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1073062138573410304?s=21

https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1073062138573410304?s=21

Bears division clinch run against the division continues.

1987: Vikings
1988: Lions
1990: Lions
(2001: Jaguars)
2005: Packers
2006: Vikings
2010: Vikings
2018: Packers

Bears Clinch division, 2010: Wootton tosses Favre.

Bears Clinch division, 2018: Floyd tosses Rodgers.

Makes a fella feel right.

#BearDown
@wcgridiron (screenshot: @GBraggsJr)

Oh by the way...

THE BEARS JUST WON THE NORTH

This team can go as far as it wants. Let’s get some jewelry!

It's weird to think that in an alternate universe, Jay Cutler looked this good for the entire 2010 playoffs, won the Super Bowl and became an untouchable Chicago sports legend.

With the Rams leading San Fran 31-10 at halftime, the odds are high that the Bears will play on Wild Card weekend. The last time they did? January 1, 1995, a shocking and thrilling 35-18 upset in Minnesota of the NFC Central-champion Vikings.

This was our offense that day:

The last time the Bears played in a Wild Card game was after the 1994 season. Every playoffs we've made since then, we've had a bye: 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010.

Here was our starting defense in our huge upset win over the Vikings, January 1, 1995, led by HC Dave Wannstedt:

The Bears win over the Vikings in the '94 playoffs is one of my favorite Bears games. Lewis Tillman had the game's first touchdown. The second was to Keith Jennings, a very solid tight end for the Bears for seven years.

@WCGridiron #WildCardWeekend

This run by @raymontharris is when I knew for sure we were winning this game. 29 yards for #29. Just seemed perfect.

Incredibly, this was our longest run of the season.

#BearDown #WildCardWeekend @WCGridiron

Per @pfref, four Bears QBs since 1950 have posted a 100+ passer rating in a playoff game (5+ att.):

@JimMcMahon (2x), Steve Fuller (the high with 143.7), Jay Cutler... and Steve Walsh against the Vikings after '94 with 107.3.

Here is his 2nd TD of the game, to Jeff Graham.

The Bears wrapped their upset of the Vikings in the '94 Wild Card game when backup safety John Mangum forced a fumble, and backup corner Kevin Miniefield returned it 48 yards for a touchdown.

That was the last time the Bears played on #WildCardweekend.

@WCGridiron @jabressler

Eagles fans are talking a LOT of mess this week. It's this notion that the Eagles are "hot" because they have Nick Foles playing and that he won SB LII.

Well, let me remind you that your coaches pulled the Philly Special from the Bears. We made you. See you Sunday.

@WCGridiron

They only did it for one year, but I will always love the 2001 Bears defense. So strong up the middle: Washington/Traylor, Urlacher, Brown/Parrish. Two stout d-ends, Rosy and Warrick flanking Urlacher, solid corners and Jerry Azumah in nickel. This unit was magic.

@WCGridiron

The Bears offensive line in 2001 is also one of my favorite Bears units. This was the only o-line in 2001 with all five guys starting all 16 games, and featured two Pro Bowlers: @olin_kreutz and @JBigCatWilliams.

@WCGridiron

The most notorious defensive play against the Bears since Charles Martin bodyslammed Jim McMahon has to be Hugh Douglas driving Jim Miller into the ground in the '01 playoffs. It wasn't the reason we lost, (Matthews was great in '01), but it came to feel like it.

@WCGridiron

The Bears scored two touchdowns in the '01 divisional game against the Eagles: a pick-six by Jerry Azumah and this end-around by Ahmad Merritt. I was at this game, and the dependance on big strikes felt ominous, but I can tell you: it didn't matter. We were HYPED.

@WCGridiron

Fun fact: after the Patterson touchdown, @D_Hest23 returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards. I thought he was going to break it for sure.

He didn't, but he set a career high and then-Bears record, with 249 yards on 5 KRs.

@WCGridiron @HesterTotheHOF https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1105670104765943808

https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1105670104765943808

Double fun fact: Hester's 249 KR yards was the 16th best NFL mark since 1950, per @pfref. Only one NFL player has surpassed him since: his Bears successor, @cwillkl80, with 288 yards in an otherwise unfortunate game against GB in 2014.

@WCGridiron https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1105671590275178499

https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1105671590275178499

Four days before the 13-0 Chicago Bears lost a startling upset in the championship game, the United Press named its 1934 All Pro NFL team, selecting 12 first teamers. The Bears had six of the 12. That team was a beast.

#BearDown #NFL100

I'll add a note:

The reason there were 12 All Pro first teamers in 1934 instead of 11 is that the UPI added Bears HB and placekicker "Automatic Jack" Manders as an "Honor Man." Manders led the NFL in scoring in '34 with 76 points.

Clips: @gbpressgazette & @TheDailyCall

#NFL100

Fun @ChicagoBears fact — only four men in our 99 seasons have held our single season scoring record:

Dutch Sternaman, 87 points, 1920 (inaugural season)
Johnny Lujack, 109 points, 1950
Gale Sayers, 132 points, 1965
Kevin Butler, 144 points, 1985 (record holder)

#NFL100

Love a good @TWaddle87 highlight :)

#BearDown s/o @amund_joy https://twitter.com/amund_joy/status/1118239452747354112

https://twitter.com/amund_joy/status/1118239452747354112

on the hunt for some '63 Bears info and found this @Daily_Chronicle story on Papa Bear winning @UPI NFL Coach of the Year.

12 days later, his Bears won the '63 championship.

@WCGridiron

Matthews-to-Allen...

I've never seen this angle

Thanks Olin!

@WCGridiron https://twitter.com/olin_kreutz/status/1133543889045000193

https://twitter.com/olin_kreutz/status/1133543889045000193

OGK is deep in the film room lately, and I'm all in for 88 :)

@WCGridiron https://twitter.com/olin_kreutz/status/1133848677653647362

https://twitter.com/olin_kreutz/status/1133848677653647362

I feel like people forget that the @21MB30 walk-off games were also monster COMEBACKS just to force OT.

31-16, 4:08 left, vs. 49ers

21-7, 28 seconds left, vs. Browns

Here is @olin_kreutz with the film on the Niners game

@WCGridiron

https://twitter.com/olin_kreutz/status/1134457040968065024?s=21

https://twitter.com/olin_kreutz/status/1134457040968065024?s=21

Yes, in the 1940s, the @chicagobears mascot was basically a real Bear.

Here he is during the '46 championship game, in which we beat the Giants 24-14.

Our "This Might Be A Real Bear" mascot needs to make a comeback for #Bears100. All I'm saying.

@WCGridiron @bearsreddit

If you didn't enjoy @D_Hest23 as a receiver I don't know what to tell you. One of the illest in my life.

#BearDown @WCGridiron @HesterTotheHOF #Bears100

1936. 2019.

Bear Down.

#Bears100

More shots of the Bears jerseys in 1936, which the team will wear this season:

1. Beattie Feathers (48) & Bronko Nagurski (3)
2. Bill Hewitt kicking
3. Lineman Ted Rosequist
4. Bears (light jerseys) in 26-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates

cc @WCGridiron @UniWatch @AdamSchefter

Updates and corrections on my finding pictures of the Bears 1936 jerseys:

cc @WCGridiron @UniWatch https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1137516807420555264

https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1137516807420555264

Two weeks ago I learned a fascinating pivot point of Bears history. When the announcers during the #StanleyCup last night mentioned the Black Hawks owners helping launch the #stlblues

, I wrote this piece about Charles Bidwill bailing out George Halas: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/6/13/18677185/george-halas-50-minutes-losing-bears-1933-soon-to-be-cardinals-owner-charles-bidwill-bailed-him-out

How George Halas nearly lost the Bears, until a soon-to-be rival owner saved him

The true story of how George Halas nearly lost the Bears, when a soon-to-be rival pitched in to save them.

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/6/13/18677185/george-halas-50-minutes-losing-bears-1933-soon-to-be-cardinals-owner-charles-bidwill-bailed-him-out

In 1933, Halas came 50 minutes from defaulting on a $15k loan that would have sent ownership of the Bears back to his ex-partner Dutch Sternaman. The future Cardinals owner lent Halas $5k and secured another 5 from a bank. Halas' mom kicked in the last 5. https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/6/13/18677185/george-halas-50-minutes-losing-bears-1933-soon-to-be-cardinals-owner-charles-bidwill-bailed-him-out

How George Halas nearly lost the Bears, until a soon-to-be rival owner saved him

The true story of how George Halas nearly lost the Bears, when a soon-to-be rival pitched in to save them.

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/6/13/18677185/george-halas-50-minutes-losing-bears-1933-soon-to-be-cardinals-owner-charles-bidwill-bailed-him-out

Really cool piece of Bears history here that I did not know. s/o to @LaurenceWHolmes, @bearsreddit, @ZimmermanSXM & @revengeofbirds.

#BearDown #Bears100 #PapaBear

At @WCGridiron: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/6/13/18677185/george-halas-50-minutes-losing-bears-1933-soon-to-be-cardinals-owner-charles-bidwill-bailed-him-out

How George Halas nearly lost the Bears, until a soon-to-be rival owner saved him

The true story of how George Halas nearly lost the Bears, when a soon-to-be rival pitched in to save them.

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/6/13/18677185/george-halas-50-minutes-losing-bears-1933-soon-to-be-cardinals-owner-charles-bidwill-bailed-him-out

Here is the 2006 panel from #Bears100, with @Roberto_Garza63, @D_Hest23, @olin_kreutz, @PatrickMannelly & @peanuttillman. Great discussion that Bears fans will love, especially all the love for @thomasqjones. #BearDown https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chicago-bears-podcasts/id848457125?i=1000441297088

‎Chicago Bears Podcasts: Legacy Panel - 06' NFC Championship on Apple Podcasts

‎Show Chicago Bears Podcasts, Ep Legacy Panel - 06' NFC Championship - Jun 12, 2019

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chicago-bears-podcasts/id848457125?i=1000441297088

You can follow @readjack.

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