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1985 Chicago Bears-World Champions Again
By Roy Taylor, www.BearsHistory.com
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1985 Bears team photo.
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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.
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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
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1985 Records:Preseason 1-3, Regular Season 15-1, Playoffs
3-0
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1985 NFL Rankings: Offense 7th Overall, 1st Rush, 20th
Pass; Defense 1st Overall, 1st Rush, 3rd Pass
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1985 Coaches: Mike Ditka, Head Coach; Buddy Ryan,
Defensive Coordinator; Ed Hughes, Offensive Coordinator
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DATE
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TEAM
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RESULT
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NOTES
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8/9
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Cardinals
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L 10-19
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Preseason.
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8/17
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Colts
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L 13-24
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Preseason.
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8/26
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Cowboys
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L 13-15
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Preseason.
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8/31
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Bills
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W 45-14
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Preseason.
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9/8
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Bucs
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W 38-28
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Come-from-behind.
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9/15
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Patriots
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W 20-7
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Dominant defense.
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9/19
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Vikings
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W 33-24
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Best. Comeback. Ever.
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9/29
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Redskins
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W 45-10
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Theismann bad day.
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10/6
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Bucs
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W 27-19
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Tough Tampa game #2.
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10/13
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49ers
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W 26-10
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Sweet revenge.
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10/21
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Packers
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W 23-7
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Fridge plows & scores.
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10/27
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Vikings
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W 27-9
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Five picks for D.
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11/3
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Packers
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W 16-10
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Dirty Packers lose.
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11/10
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Detroit
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W 24-3
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34 + 26 100 yds each.
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11/17
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Cowboys
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W 44-0
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Nightmare for Dallas.
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11/24
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Falcons
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W 36-0
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Second shutout in row.
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12/2
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Dolphins
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L 24-38
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Only loss; ugly.
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12/8
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Colts
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W 17-10
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Squeaker vs. Colts.
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12/14
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Jets
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W 19-6
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Another close one.
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12/22
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Lions
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W 37-17
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Lion QB's killed.
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1/5
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Giants
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W 21-0
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Playoff shutout.
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1/12
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Rams
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W 24-0
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Goin' to SB 20.
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1/26
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Patriots
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W 46-10
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World Champions.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Drag over the image for player's name
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9 QB
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34 RB
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26 RB
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83 WR
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85 WR
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74 LT
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62 LG
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63 C
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57 RG
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78 RT
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87 TE
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6 K
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95 DE
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76 DT
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72 DT
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99 DE
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58 LB
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50 MLB
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55 LB
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27 CB
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22 SS
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45 FS
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21 CB
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8 P
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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.
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#
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Pos.
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Name
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School
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Exp.
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4
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QB
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Steve Fuller
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Clemson
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7
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6
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K
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Kevin Butler
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Georgia
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R
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8
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P
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Maury Buford
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Texas Tech
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4
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9
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QB
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Jim McMahon
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BYU
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4
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18
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QB
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Mike Tomczak
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Ohio State
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R
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20
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RB
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Thomas Sanders
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Texas A&M
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R
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21
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CB
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Leslie Frazier
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Alcorn State
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5
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22
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S
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Dave Duerson
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Notre Dame
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3
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23
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DB
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Shaun Gayle
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Ohio State
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R
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26
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RB
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Matt Suhey
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Penn State
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6
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27
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CB
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Mike Richardson
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Arizona State
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3
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29
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RB
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Dennis Gentry
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Baylor
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4
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31
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DB
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Ken Taylor
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Oregon State
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R
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33
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RB
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Calvin Thomas
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Illinois
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4
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34
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RB
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Walter Payton
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Jackson State
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11
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45
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S
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Gary Fencik
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Yale
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10
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48
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CB
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Reggie Phillips
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SMU
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R
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50
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MLB
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Mike Singletary
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Baylor
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5
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51
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LB
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Jim Morrissey
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Michigan State
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R
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52
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LB
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Cliff Thrift
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EC Oklahoma
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7
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53
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LB
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Dan Rains
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Cincinnati
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4
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54
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LB
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Brian Cabral
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Colorado
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7
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55
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LB
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Otis Wilson
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Louisville
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6
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57
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G
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Tom Thayer
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Notre Dame
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3
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58
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LB
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Wilber Marshall
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Florida
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2
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59
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LB
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Ron Rivera
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California
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2
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60
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OL
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Tom Andrews
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Louisville
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2
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62
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G
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Mark Bortz
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Iowa
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3
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63
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C
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Jay Hilgenberg
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Iowa
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5
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70
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DL
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Henry Waechter
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Nebraska
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4
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71
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OL
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Andy Frederick
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New Mexico
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9
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72
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DT
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William Perry
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Clemson
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R
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73
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DL
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Mike Hartenstine
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Penn State
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11
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74
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T
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Jim Covert
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Pittsburgh
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3
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75
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OL
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Stephan Humphries
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Michigan
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2
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76
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DT
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Steve McMichael
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Texas
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6
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78
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T
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Keith Van Horne
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USC
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5
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79
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G
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Kurt Becker
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Michigan
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4
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80
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TE
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Tim Wrightman
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UCLA
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3
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81
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WR
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James Manness
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Texas Christian
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R
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82
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WR
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Ken Margerum
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Stanford
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5
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83
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WR
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Willie Gault
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Tennessee
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3
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84
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WR
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Brian Baschnagel
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Ohio State
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10
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85
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WR
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Dennis McKinnon
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Florida State
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3
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86
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WR
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Brad Anderson
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Arizona
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2
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87
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TE
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Emery Moorehead
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Colorado
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9
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89
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WR
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Keith Ortego
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McNeese State
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R
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95
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DE
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Richard Dent
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Tennessee State
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3
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98
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DE
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Tyrone Keys
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Mississippi State
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3
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99
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DL
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Dan Hampton
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Arkansas
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7
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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
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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?
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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.
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1985 Bears Draft
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Rd
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Pos
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Name
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School
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1
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DT
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William Perry
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Clemson
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2
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CB
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Reggie Phillips
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SMU
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3
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WR
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James Manness
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TCU
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4
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K
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Kevin Butler
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Georgia
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5-Traded to New York Jets
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6-To Rams for QB Steve Fuller
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7
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DE
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Charles Bennett
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SW La.
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8
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T
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Steve Buxton
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Indiana St.
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9
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RB
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Thomas Sanders
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Texas A&M
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10
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DT
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Pat Coryatt
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Baylor
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11
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LB
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Jim Morrissey
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Michigan St.
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12-To SD for LB Cliff Thrift
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1985 Bears Trades
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1985 12th-round pick to San Diego for LB Cliff Thrift
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1986 12th-round pick to San Diego for P Maury Buford
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1985 Bears Free Agent Signings
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QB Mike Tomczak, Ohio State
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DB Ken Taylor, Oregon State
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WR Keith Ortego, McNeese State
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1985 Bears Retirements
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None
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1985 Chicago Bears Awards
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NFL Champions
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NFC Champions
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NFC Central Champions
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Mike Ditka, NFC Coach of the Year
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Mike Singletary, NFL Defensive Player of the Year
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Jim Covert, T, Pro Bowl (1)
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Richard Dent, DE, Pro Bowl (2)
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Dave Duerson, S, Pro Bowl (1)
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Dan Hampton, DE, Pro Bowl (4)
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Jay Hilgenberg, C, Pro Bowl (1)
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Jim McMahon, QB, Pro Bowl (1)
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Walter Payton, RB, Pro Bowl (8)
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Mike Singletary, LB, Pro Bowl (3)
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Otis Wilson, LB, Pro Bowl (1)
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