1985 Chicago Bears-World Champions Again
1985 Bears team photo.
There was something in the air in Platteville, WI, in August 1985. Throngs of new tourists suddenly showing up to watch the team practice. Jim McMahon, soon to be dubbed the "Punky QB" in pop-culture lore, sported a mohawk as a result of a mistake he made while cutting his own hair. And a gargantuan first-round pick, defensive tackle William Perry from Clemson, struggled to stay alive in the sweltering heat. Mike Ditka set the tone, as he told the team that this was their year. "Put a chip on your shoulder, and don't let anyone knock it off until we win the super bowl!", became the team's rallying cry. The Bears started opening day off shaky, as Tampa Bay led them at halftime. The team prevailed, however, and defeated the Buccaneers 38-28. The next week the defense dominated, shutting down New England in a 20-7 win, despite Walter Payton being held to one of his lowest rushing totals in his career.

The following Thursday night at Minnesota, Jim McMahon was forced to the bench by Ditka because of missing practice with a sore neck (many attributed this injury to McMahon's habit of head-butting his offensive linemen after scores). With Steve Fuller at the helm, Minnesota led 17-9 in the third quarter. Ditka gave in to McMahon's urges, and put him in the game. The rest, as they say, is history. McMahon fired 3 touchdown passes, #1 being on his very first play in the game, to lead the Bears to a 33-24 victory. The following week, Chicago destroyed Washington 45-10 in a rematch of 1984's divisional playoff. The next week, they beat Tampa at home, 27-19, then travelled to San Francisco to pay the defending world champions back for the championship game lost the previous year. The 49ers had no chance, as the Bear's defense kept Joe Montana on the ground for much of the game. The 49er game also featured the debut of a new American hero- "The Refridgerator" William Perry. Ditka inserted Perry as a running back at the end of the game to pay back SF coach Bill Walsh for doing the same with Guy McIntyre the year before. A star was born. To go along with a winning football team, Chicago now possessed a group of pop-culture icons.

Perry's legend grew on national television the following Monday night against Green Bay. Perry served up two crushing blocks for Walter Payton, and scored a touchdown himself, in a 21-7 victory. The following week against Minnesota, he netted his first sack in a 26-7 Bears victory. The Bears finished the first half of 1985 at 8-0.

On November 3rd, Chicago went to Green Bay for a grudge match-rematch. The Packers fought all the way through the game, as they felt Chicago had humiliated them on Monday night 2 weeks before. The Bears still came away with a victory 16-10, featuring William Perry the wide receiver, who caught a short touchdown pass just before halftime. In the next 3 games, the Bears were clearly on a roll. They beat up on Detroit, Dallas, and Atlanta by a combined score of 104-3. The pinnacle was a 44-0 defeat of the Cowboys in Dallas, their worst loss at home ever. These 3 losses set up disappointment at Miami on December 2nd. The Dolphins defeated the Bears 38-24, and ensured they would remain the only unbeaten team in the modern era.

Ironically, Bears players gathered the following day to record the "Super Bowl Shuffle" video and single. Some players were invited, but refused to participate. After the Miami loss, the team did turn it back around, with 3 wins over Indianapolis, the New York Jets and Detroit, to finish the regular season. The playoffs were upon the Bears, and they controlled their destiny with home field advantage throughout the post season.

The playoffs began as Chicago hosted the New York Giants on January 5, 1986. The naysayers were primed for a letdown. Hadn't the fans of Chicago paid attention as the 1983 White Sox and 1984 Cubs struck out of the playoffs so quickly? The Bears did not listen, as they shut out New York, 21-0. "It's going to get better," stated defensive leader Mike Singletary, as the Bears had a matchup with the Los Angeles Rams in their second Championship Game appearance in as many years.

Coach Mike Ditka started the week off by telling the press that "In life, there are teams called Smith, and teams called "Grabowski"....We're Grabowskis!" The term became a rallying cry for the Bears, who were proud of their blue-collar image in a blue-collar city. Just as they had the week before, the Bears shut out Los Angeles 24-0. They dominated the game and shut down NFL Leading Rusher Eric Dickerson. The NFC Championship game featured some high drama of its own in the final seconds. Down 17-0, Los Angeles was desperately trying to put points on the board. As QB Dieter Brock dropped back to pass, he was sacked by Richard Dent, and fumbled the ball. Just as Wilbur Marshall picked up the ball and ran in for a touchdown, it started to snow. Many surmised it was George Halas giving his mark of approval on the team.

Super Bowl 20 in New Orleans was almost anti-climactic compared to the weeks leading up to the game. Jim McMahon mooned a news helicopter, was accused of calling all the women of New Orleans "sluts", and Defensive Coordinator Buddy Ryan was rumored to be leaving the team for Philadelphia. The night before the game, Ryan told his defense that "No matter what happens, you'll always be my heroes." After many tears were shed, Steve McMichael impaled the wall with a chair, and the team was ready to take no prisoners the following day.
The Bears won Super Bowl 20 by a score of 46-10, by far the largest margin of victory in a super bowl to that point. Buddy Ryan did in fact leave the team shortly after the victory, but not until after he was carried off the field along with Head Coach Mike Ditka. The Bears were undoubtedly the most dominating team in history in 1985, so talk of a dynasty was ripe in everyone's minds in Chicago.
Quote of the Year: "There are teams that are fair-haired, and those that aren't so fair-haired. Some teams are named Smith, some Grabowski. We're Grabowskis."-Mike Ditka, January 1986
1985 Records:Preseason 1-3, Regular Season 15-1, Playoffs 3-0
1985 NFL Rankings: Offense 7th Overall, 1st Rush, 20th Pass; Defense 1st Overall, 1st Rush, 3rd Pass
1985 Coaches: Mike Ditka, Head Coach; Buddy Ryan, Defensive Coordinator; Ed Hughes, Offensive Coordinator
DATE
TEAM
RESULT
NOTES
8/9
Cardinals
L 10-19
Preseason.
8/17
Colts
L 13-24
Preseason.
8/26
Cowboys
L 13-15
Preseason.
8/31
Bills
W 45-14
Preseason.
9/8
Bucs
W 38-28
Come-from-behind.
9/15
Patriots
W 20-7
Dominant defense.
9/19
Vikings
W 33-24
Best. Comeback. Ever.
9/29
Redskins
W 45-10
Theismann bad day.
10/6
Bucs
W 27-19
Tough Tampa game #2.
10/13
49ers
W 26-10
Sweet revenge.
10/21
Packers
W 23-7
Fridge plows & scores.
10/27
Vikings
W 27-9
Five picks for D.
11/3
Packers
W 16-10
Dirty Packers lose.
11/10
Detroit
W 24-3
34 + 26 100 yds each.
11/17
Cowboys
W 44-0
Nightmare for Dallas.
11/24
Falcons
W 36-0
Second shutout in row.
12/2
Dolphins
L 24-38
Only loss; ugly.
12/8
Colts
W 17-10
Squeaker vs. Colts.
12/14
Jets
W 19-6
Another close one.
12/22
Lions
W 37-17
Lion QB's killed.
1/5
Giants
W 21-0
Playoff shutout.
1/12
Rams
W 24-0
Goin' to SB 20.
1/26
Patriots
W 46-10
World Champions.
HOME
AWAY
Passing: Jim McMahon-McMahon was voted to his only Pro Bowl appearance after his best season in the NFL. His 1985 statistics were 178/313, 2392 yards, 15 TD and 11 INT. He completed 56.9% of his passes for a 82.8 quarterback rating. He also caught a TD pass against Washington.
Rushing: Walter Payton-Payton had his best season since 1979, rushing for 1551 yards on 324 attempts, a 4.8 yard average per carry. His long game was 40 yards and he score nine touchdowns on the ground.
Receiving: Walter Payton-Payton also led the Bears in receptions, catching 49 passes out of the backfield for 483 yards and 2 touchdowns. Willie Gault led in receiving yards with 704.
Scoring: Kevin Butler-In his rookie season, Butler led the team by scoring 144 points on 51 PATs and 31 field goals out of 38 attempts.
Sacks: Richard Dent-The "Colonel" paced the feriocious Bears defense with 17 sacks. He also went to the Pro Bowl and was named MVP of Super Bowl 20, a rarity for a defensive lineman.
Interceptions: Leslie Frazier-Frazier led the team with 6 interceptions. This would be the veteran's final season, as he ruined his knee while returning a punt in Super Bowl 20.
Drag over the image for player's name
Jim McMahon Walter Payton Matt Suhey Willie Gault Dennis McKinnon Jim Covert Mark Bortz Jay Hilgenberg Tom Thayer Keith VanHorne Emery Moorehead Kevin Butler
9 QB
34 RB
26 RB
83 WR
85 WR
74 LT
62 LG
63 C
57 RG
78 RT
87 TE
6 K
Richard Dent Steve McMichael William Perry Dan Hampton Wilber Marshall Mike Singletary Otis Wilson Mike Richardson Dave Duerson Gary Fencik Leslie Frazier Maury Buford
95 DE
76 DT
72 DT
99 DE
58 LB
50 MLB
55 LB
27 CB
22 SS
45 FS
21 CB
8 P
QB Jim McMahon started 11 regular season games, yielding as starter to Steve Fuller for the other 5 with injuries. Rookie Mike Tomczak made several appearances in mopup duty. Running backs Walter Payton and Matt Suhey started every game and were spelled by Dennis Gentry, Calvin Thomas and rookie Thomas Sanders. Wide receivers Willie Gault and Dennis McKinnon also started each game; Ken Margerum and Keith Ortego played in the slot. Brian Baschnagel spent this last year with the team on injured reserve and rookie James Manness and Brad Anderson were active but did not play. The offensive line started every game with mopup duty performed by Andy Frederick and Stefan Humphries. Tight end Emery Moorhead started and was relieved occassionally by Tim Wrightman. On defense, all 11 starters stayed healthy and on the field for the duration. The only significant change to the starting lineup came prior to game eight, when tackle Dan Hampton moved over to left defensive end and was replaced by rookie William Perry. The move sent veteran Mike Hartenstine to the bench. Also significant was that LB Wilber Marshall and SS Dave Duerson replaced 1984 starters Al Harris and Todd Bell, who held out the entire season. Gault and Gentry returned kicks and Ortego returned punts. The kicker was Kevin Butler and the punter Maury Buford.
#
Pos.
Name
School
Exp.
4
QB
Steve Fuller
Clemson
7
6
K
Kevin Butler
Georgia
R
8
P
Maury Buford
Texas Tech
4
9
QB
Jim McMahon
BYU
4
18
QB
Mike Tomczak
Ohio State
R
20
RB
Thomas Sanders
Texas A&M
R
21
CB
Leslie Frazier
Alcorn State
5
22
S
Dave Duerson
Notre Dame
3
23
DB
Shaun Gayle
Ohio State
R
26
RB
Matt Suhey
Penn State
6
27
CB
Mike Richardson
Arizona State
3
29
RB
Dennis Gentry
Baylor
4
31
DB
Ken Taylor
Oregon State
R
33
RB
Calvin Thomas
Illinois
4
34
RB
Walter Payton
Jackson State
11
45
S
Gary Fencik
Yale
10
48
CB
Reggie Phillips
SMU
R
50
MLB
Mike Singletary
Baylor
5
51
LB
Jim Morrissey
Michigan State
R
52
LB
Cliff Thrift
EC Oklahoma
7
53
LB
Dan Rains
Cincinnati
4
54
LB
Brian Cabral
Colorado
7
55
LB
Otis Wilson
Louisville
6
57
G
Tom Thayer
Notre Dame
3
58
LB
Wilber Marshall
Florida
2
59
LB
Ron Rivera
California
2
60
OL
Tom Andrews
Louisville
2
62
G
Mark Bortz
Iowa
3
63
C
Jay Hilgenberg
Iowa
5
70
DL
Henry Waechter
Nebraska
4
71
OL
Andy Frederick
New Mexico
9
72
DT
William Perry
Clemson
R
73
DL
Mike Hartenstine
Penn State
11
74
T
Jim Covert
Pittsburgh
3
75
OL
Stephan Humphries
Michigan
2
76
DT
Steve McMichael
Texas
6
78
T
Keith Van Horne
USC
5
79
G
Kurt Becker
Michigan
4
80
TE
Tim Wrightman
UCLA
3
81
WR
James Manness
Texas Christian
R
82
WR
Ken Margerum
Stanford
5
83
WR
Willie Gault
Tennessee
3
84
WR
Brian Baschnagel
Ohio State
10
85
WR
Dennis McKinnon
Florida State
3
86
WR
Brad Anderson
Arizona
2
87
TE
Emery Moorehead
Colorado
9
89
WR
Keith Ortego
McNeese State
R
95
DE
Richard Dent
Tennessee State
3
98
DE
Tyrone Keys
Mississippi State
3
99
DL
Dan Hampton
Arkansas
7
1985 Salaries

In this day of NFL players holding out and not accepting $18 million in guaranteed money, here is a refreshing look back at the salaries of the 1985 Bears starters. This was published in the January 10, 1986 Chicago Sun Times. According to the paper, signing bonuses and incentives are not included in these figures.

Offense
Jim McMahon, Quarterback, $600,000
Walter Payton, Running Back, $685,000
Matt Suhey, Running Back, $260,000
Willie Gault, Wide Receiver, $241,000
Dennis McKinnon, Wide Receiver, $100,000
Jim Covert, Left Tackle, $190,000
Mark Bortz, Left Guard, $90,000
Jay Hilgenberg, Center, $110,000
Tom Thayer, Right Guard, $160,000
Keith Van Horne, Right Tackle, $225,000
Emery Moorehead, Tight End, $200,000

Defense
Dan Hampton, Defensive End, $325,000
Steve McMichael, Defensive Tackle, $225,000
William Perry, Defensive Tackle, $138,250
Richard Dent, Defensive End, $90,000
Otis Wilson, Linebacker, $150,000
Mike Singletary, Linebacker, $200,000
Wilber Marshall, Linebacker, 250,000
Mike Richardson, Cornerback, $175,000
Leslie Frazier, Cornerback, $130,000
Dave Duerson, Strong Safety, $125,000
Gary Fencik, Free Safety, $275,000


 
In the 1985 Draft, prognosticators expected the Bears to select a wide receiver or the lock-down cornerback Buddy Ryan coveted. Following the quarterback debacle of 1984, a backup signalcaller was desired as well. Instead, the Bears selected massive defensive tackle William Perry, arguing he was too good a prospect to pass up. Ryan labeled him a wasted draft pick after Perry lacked conditioning early in training camp.
The Bears returned to training camp in Platteville, WI for the second year in July of '85. Rookie kicker Kevin Butler's fiancee was shocked when Kevin called her shortly after camp started. "We have to change our wedding date," the kicker told his fiancee, leaving her in shock. "We're going to the Super Bowl this year, and it's on January 26th," he told her. They had selected that same date for their wedding.
It is well known that defensive end/linebacker Al Harris and safety Todd Bell held out the entire season. It is not remembered, however, that other holdouts through much of 1985's training camp were Mike Singletary, Steve McMichael, Keith Van Horne and Perry. Singletary was the last to report after the team restructured the terms of his six-year contract signed in 1983.
After the Bears dropped to 0-2 in the preseason after a loss to the Colts, fans screamed for Ditka's neck. "It's a little early to be engraving our tombstone," Ditka deadpanned.
While Chicago won their first five games, they seemed to be the "cardiac Bears" in these games. Twice against Tampa and in games against Minnesota and Washington, they trailed by fair margins. Winners of all four of these contests, unbelievable was the Thursday night outing at Minnesota, when Jim McMahon came off the bench to fire three touchdown passes. With the scores, McMahon erased a 27-9 defecit.
Perry would become a national phenomenon throughout the season, but his star shone brightest during the four-game period from October 13th through November 3rd. During these games, Perry entered as a fullback late in the San Francisco victory, scored a rushing TD against Green Bay, recorded his first pro sack on 10/27 against the Vikings, and hauled in a TD reception at Green Bay.
The Bears' lowest point of the season was preceeded by their three best games. From November 3rd through the 24th, Chicago outscored Detroit, Dallas and Atlanta 104-3.
However, in their well-known only loss, the Bears lost the chance at an undefeated season on December 2nd at Miami. The Dolphins dominated in a game that wasn't as close as the score, 38-24. Most Bear players to this day credit the loss with inspiring them to push forward to the title.
In the final three regular season games of 1985 the Bears squeaked out wins against Indianapolis and the New York Jets, then soundly defeated Detroit. They controlled home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and were only the second team in NFL history to finish 15-1 (San Francisco, 1984). Their divisional home playoff game would be the first in Chicago since 1963. Fans were concerned about their chances, however, after the failures of the 1984 Bears and Cubs.
The Bears became the first team in history to go through the playoffs without allowing a point after they defeated the Giants 21-0 and Rams 24-0. With a minute remaining in the championship game, Richard Dent sacked Rams quarterback Dieter Brock, who fumbled. The ball was recovered by WIlber Marshall, who streaked 50 yards with the recovery for a touchdown. Perry, known worldwide as the Refrigerator, led the blocking for Marshall. A light snow had begun to fall just as the play took place, creating a storybook ending to the playoffs.
Super Bowl week was full of off-the-field news for the team. Bears officials refused to allow McMahon's personal acupuncturist on the team flight to New Orleans. The Honey Bears cheerleaders, a fixture on the Bears' sidelines since 1977, were told the Super Bowl would be their last appearance with the team. McMahon mooned a television news helicopter spying on practice, then was accused by TV host Buddy Dilberto of calling "all the women of New Orleans sluts." The host later retracted his story, but McMahon feared for his life after the stunt.
According to many players, the game was anti-climactic, as the Bears breezed to a 46-10 win. Defensive tackle Steve McMichael said that the defense knew it had the game won as soon as Patriot Tony Eason stepped to the line for the first snap of the game. According to McMichael, the young quarterback's eyes were as big as saucers, looking at the Bear defense.
The Bears returned to witness hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans standing in the bitter cold to witness the team's ticker-tape parade. Much of a parade it was not; the crowds literally blocked the procession from moving along its intended route. Ditka, GM Jerry Vanisi and team President Michael McCaskey did make it to a podium at Daley Plaza for some words. However, it was an ominous sign of things to come when it was McCaskey, not the architects of the victory, that hoisted the Super Bowl trophy in the air.
Who would have believed in 1986 that the New England Patriots would be back to the Super Bowl four times, winning three, before the Bears returned?
Notable first round picks are Bruce Smith by Buffalo, Lomas Brown by Detroit, Chris Doleman by the Vikings, Jerry Rice by the 49ers, and William "Refrigerator" Perry by the Bears. Chicago becomes just the second 15-1 team in history, following the '84 49ers. San Francisco is hardly a factor in the race, however, finishing 10-6 and losing in the wildcard round. The LA Rams shut out a fading Dallas Cowboy team 20-0, then lose to the Bears 24-0 in the NFC Championship. The Bears dominate the league and win the Super Bowl 46-10 over New England. The Bears will never visit the White House for the traditional celebration, as the Space Shuttle Challenger explodes two days later, killing its crew.
1985 Bears Draft
Rd
Pos
Name
School
1
DT
William Perry
Clemson
2
CB
Reggie Phillips
SMU
3
WR
James Manness
TCU
4
K
Kevin Butler
Georgia
5-Traded to New York Jets
6-To Rams for QB Steve Fuller
7
DE
Charles Bennett
SW La.
8
T
Steve Buxton
Indiana St.
9
RB
Thomas Sanders
Texas A&M
10
DT
Pat Coryatt
Baylor
11
LB
Jim Morrissey
Michigan St.
12-To SD for LB Cliff Thrift
1985 Bears Trades
1985 12th-round pick to San Diego for LB Cliff Thrift
1986 12th-round pick to San Diego for P Maury Buford
1985 Bears Free Agent Signings
QB Mike Tomczak, Ohio State
DB Ken Taylor, Oregon State
WR Keith Ortego, McNeese State
1985 Bears Retirements
None
1985 Chicago Bears Awards
NFL Champions
NFC Champions
NFC Central Champions
Mike Ditka, NFC Coach of the Year
Mike Singletary, NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Jim Covert, T, Pro Bowl (1)
Richard Dent, DE, Pro Bowl (2)
Dave Duerson, S, Pro Bowl (1)
Dan Hampton, DE, Pro Bowl (4)
Jay Hilgenberg, C, Pro Bowl (1)
Jim McMahon, QB, Pro Bowl (1)
Walter Payton, RB, Pro Bowl (8)
Mike Singletary, LB, Pro Bowl (3)
Otis Wilson, LB, Pro Bowl (1)








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