1988 Chicago Bears-Champions at Heart
Sports Illustrated proved that the 1988 Bears, despite the loss of several standout players, were still America's favorite NFL team.  Jim McMahon was featured on the September 12, 1988 cover after the Bears beat Miami to open the season.
From 1985 to 1987, the Chicago Bears had become THE team to beat in the NFL. Under the leadership of the same defensive linemen and linebackers as played on the '85 team, the defense continued to dominate. This despite the fact that genious coordinator Buddy Ryan had left the team after the 1985 season. The offense, however had continual problems in 1986 and 1987. The quarterback position was never settled, as the team shuffled between Jim McMahon, Steve Fuller, Doug Flutie and Mike Tomczak. Infighting continued to get worse between players, compounded both by the Bears' success and the players strike of '87. Events of the 1987 offseason were sure to make the 1988 season the toughest challenge since '85.
Chicago would enter 1988 without four of their strongest leaders of the amazing last four seasons. Losing one pro bowler would be enough to break many teams, but four? Both Walter Payton and Gary Fencik retired after the '87 finale-the second playoff loss to Washington in as many years. All-pro linebacker Wilber Marshall had become a "free agent"-in those days, free agency still meant compensation to the team that lost the player. To add to the insult of two back-to-back playoff upsets in '86 and '87, the Redskins made a 5-year $6 million offer to Marshall, which the Bears declined to match. In return, Chicago received Washington's first-round draft picks in both 1988 and 1989. Willie Gault was the last key Bear to choose not to return. Gault expressed the desire to move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, and the Raiders wanted another speedster to pair with top '87 pick Tim Brown. Gault was promptly traded to LA for their top pick in '89, and a third-rounder in '90. Chicago was deciding to unload much of what got them to the top in '85. This was a decision that would have paid off had they gotten players of Gault's and Marshall's in return. They did draft serviceable players in Wendell Davis, Donnell Woolford, Trace Armstrong, and P.T. Willis, but none of these Bears gave the production of Gualt & Marshall. So as the 1988 campaign commenced, not many gave Chicago much of a chance to make the playoffs, let alone advance deep into them. These expectations made the end result even sweeter to savor.
On opening day, Chicago blew out Miami and Dan Marino 34-7, after leading 28-7 at halftime. Neal Anderson answered all questions about replacing legend Walter Payton by rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown. The following week the team beat Indianapolis, but lost the next week to Minnesota 31-7, the Bears worst home loss in 13 years. The questions then re-emerged. A Chicago team starting 2-1? The end must be near. Mike Ditka even commented to the press that "There's no question, we'll be lucky to make the wild-card this year." Patented Ditka reverse psycology, as Chicago ripped off wins in the next 5 games, including dominating performances against Green Bay, Buffalo, and Dallas. In the final game of the streak, Chicago hosted San Francisco and Joe Montana on Monday Night Football. The 49ers drove 88 yards down the field for a TD on their opening drive. It appeared that it would be a long night. Then the Bear defense came alive for the remainder of the game, holding San Francisco to just 125 total yards for the final 3 and 1/2 quarters. Chicago won 10-9 in a thriller.
In typical Bears tradition of losing a heart-breaker after an inspiring victory, the next week Chicago lost at New England. In this game, Doug Flutie gained his revenge, hitting WR Irving Friar on an 80-yard TD pass on the very first play of the game. After the New England loss, Chicago was shocked when Mike Ditka suffered a heart attack. Defensive Coordinator Vince Tobin took over the reigns and guided the Bears to a 28-10 win over Tampa. Ditka then quickly returned on November 13th to oversee a win over Washington, 34-14, featuring 5 interceptions by the Bears. Chicago went 3-2 in the final five regular season games, guided by a mellower version of Mike Ditka, who preached overcoming adversity as the theme. Significant in the last five games was the season finale at Minnesota on Monday Night Football. Mike Tomczak started the game for a continually-ailing Jim McMahon. The game was a back-and forth battle throughout-but Chicago looked to be in the driver's seat with just over 2 minutes remaining. They had the ball at Minnesota's 6-yard line, trailing 21-20, looking to take the lead. Instead of keeping the ball on the ground with Neal Anderson, who rushed for 122 yards on the night, Tomczak threw a short screen pass that was intercepted by Walker Lee Ashley and returned 94 yards for a decisive Minnesota touchdown. Thus, the Bears entered the 1988 playoffs with a 12-4 record and home field advantage throughout.
The divisional playoff on New Years Eve featured the third matchup between Buddy Ryan's Philadelphia Eagles, and Mike Ditka's Bears. Chicago jumped to a 17-9 lead before a dense fog blew into the area, resulting in the "Fog Bowl", undoubtedly the worst visual conditions ever in an NFL playoff game. The Bears won this game 20-12 under starter Mike Tomczak. The following week, San Francisco would roll into freezing Soldier Field for Chicago's third appearance in the NFC Championship game in the last five years. Quarterback was the huge question for Mike Ditka-who would start? Mike Tomczak had just beaten the Eagles, but Jim McMahon appeared to be healthy. Ditka went with McMahon, but the Bears lost 28-3, missing the Super Bowl in Miami by one game.
The moral of the 1988 Bears season was that a team picked by many to miss the playoffs, that lost 4 key starters from the 1985 Super Bowl team, still finished with the best record in the NFC. A defense missing many key players via trades, retirements, and injuries, still finished 2nd in overall defense, and led the league in fewest points allowed. The team entered 1989 looking to continue its unprecedented success, and after overcoming all the obstacles of 1988, figured nothing could now stand in their way.
Quote of the Year: "We ran the ball well today.  We like our people.  For those that don't like them, that's tough sh**, we like 'em!" -Mike Ditka, addressing the media following the opening-day win, undoubtedly perturbed by talk of his team aging and disintegrating.
1988 Records: Preseason 1-3, Regular Season 12-4, Playoffs 1-1
1988 NFL Rankings: Offense 11th Overall, 3rd Rush, 20th Pass; Defense 2nd Overall, 1st Rush, 9th Pass
1988 Coaches: Mike Ditka, Head Coach; Vince Tobin, Defensive Coordinator; Ed Hughes, Offensive Coordinator
DATE
TEAM
RESULT
NOTES
8/6
Dolphins
20-17
Preseason
8/14
Vikings
21-28
Preseason in Sweden
8/22
Cowboys
9-17
Preseason
8/26
Raiders
22-37
Gault comes home.
9/4
Dolphins
34-7
Still got it early.
9/11
Colts
17-13
Squeaker in Indy.
9/18
Vikings
7-31
Big loss to rival.
9/25
Packers
24-6
Anderson runs free.
10/2
Bills
24-3
Big win over good team.
10/9
Lions
14-7
Beating division foes.
10/16
Cowboys
17-7
Singletary lays wood.
10/24
49ers
10-9
MNF thriller.
10/30
Patriots
7-30
Flutie's revenge.
11/6
Bucs
28-10
Ditka's last.
11/13
Redskins
34-14
Win one for Da Coach.
11/20
Bucs
27-15
More Singletary hitting.
11/27
Packers
16-0
Pack no match.
12/5
Rams
3-23
Harbaugh can't cut it.
12/11
Lions
13-12
Another division crown.
12/19
Vikings
27-28
Heartbreaking loss.
12/31
Eagles
20-12
Fog Bowl.
1/8
49ers
3-28
NFC Championship.
HOME
AWAY
Passing: Jim McMahon- McMahon led the Bears in passing in his final season with the team. He started the first nine games of the season before going down with knee and shoulder problems. McMahon threw for 1,346 yards, topping Mike Tomczak by 36.
Rushing: Neal Anderson- The third-year back stepped into the legendary shoes of Walter Payton and was voted to his first Pro Bowl, rushing for 1,106 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Receiving Yards: Dennis McKinnon- Became the team's default #1 receiver following the trade of Willie Gault to the L.A. Raiders. McKinnon led the Bears despite the team rotating different sets of receivers. Caught 45 passes for 704 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Scoring: Kevin Butler- Butler scored 82 points on 15 field goals and 37 PAT's.
Sacks: Steve McMichael-  Led an injury-ravaged defensive line in sacks for the first time in his career. 
Interceptions: Vestee Jackson- The third-year pro started opposite Mike Richardson in an injury-riddled secondary and logged eight interceptions.
Drag over the image for player's name
Jim McMahon Neal Anderson Matt Suhey Dennis McKinnon Dennis Gentry Jim Covert Mark Bortz Jay Hilgenberg Tom Thayer Keith VanHorne Jim Thornton Kevin Butler
9 QB
35 RB
26 RB
85 WR
29 WR
74 LT
62 LG
63 C
57 RG
78 RT
80 TE
6 K
Richard Dent Steve McMichael Dan Hampton Al Harris Jim Morrissey Mike Singletary Ron Rivera Mike Richardson Dave Duerson Shaun Gayle Vestee Jackson Bryan Wagner
95 DE
76 DT
72 DT
99 DE
51 LB
50 MLB
59 LB
27 CB
22 SS
23 FS
24 CB
15 P
In his final season with the Bears, Jim McMahon started the first nine games of the season until he injured his knee at New England.  Mike Tomczak took over until the NFC Championship, when McMahon returned to play in his final game as a Bear.  The offensive line had its injury problems but for the most part started its usual stalwarts.  At receiver and running back, the Bears oddly rotated the tandems of McKinnon/Gentry then Ron Morris/Wendell Davis at receiver, then Neal Anderson/Matt Suhey and Thomas Sanders/Brad Muster at running back.  The Bears were ravaged by injuries on defense but still led the league, amazingly.  Richard Dent and William Perry missed most of the season on the line.  Offense, left to right: Jim McMahon, Neal Anderson, Matt Suhey, Dennis McKinnon, Dennis Gentry, Jim Covert, Mark Bortz, Jay Hilgenberg, Tom Thayer, Keith Van Horne, Jim "Robocop" Thornton, Kevin Butler.  Defense, left to right: Richard Dent, Steve McMichael, Dan Hampton, Al Harris, Jim Morrissey, Mike Singletary, Ron Rivera, Mike Richardson, Dave Duerson, Shaun Gayle, Vestee Jackson, Bryan Wagner.
4
QB
Jim Harbaugh
Michigan
2
6
K
Kevin Butler
Georgia
4
9
QB
Jim McMahon
BYU
7
15
P
Bryan Wagner
Cal St. Nrthrdge
2
18
QB
Mike Tomczak
Ohio State
4
20
RB
Thomas Sanders
Texas A&M
4
22
S
Dave Duerson
Notre Dame
6
23
S
Shaun Gayle
Ohio State
5
24
CB
Vestee Jackson
Washington
3
25
RB
Brad Muster
Stanford
R
26
RB
Matt Suhey
Penn State
9
27
CB
Mike Richardson
Arizona State
6
29
WR
Dennis Gentry
Baylor
7
32
CB
Lemuel Stinson
Texas Tech
R
35
RB
Neal Anderson
Florida
3
37
S
Maurice Douglass
Kentucky
3
43
S
Lorenzo Lynch
Cal St.-Sac.
2
44
S
Todd Krumm
Michigan State
R
49
S
David Tate
Colorado
R
50
LB
Mike Singletary
Baylor
8
51
LB
Jim Morrissey
Michigan St.
4
52
LB
Mickey Pruitt
Colorado
R
53
LB
Dante Jones
Oklahoma
R
54
C
John Adickes
Baylor
2
57
G
Tom Thayer
Notre Dame
4
58
LB
Greg Clark
Arizona State
R
59
LB
Ron Rivera
California
5
62
G
Mark Bortz
Iowa
6
63
C
Jay Hilgenberg
Iowa
8
71
T
Ceaser Rente
Oklahoma
R
72
DT
William Perry
Clemson
4
73
OL
John Wojciechowski
Mich. St.
2
74
T
Jim Covert
Pittsburgh
6
75
DT
John Shannon
Kentucky
R
76
DT
Steve McMichael
Texas
9
78
T
Keith Van Horne
USC
8
79
G
Kurt Becker
Michigan
7
80
TE
James Thornton
Cal St. Flrtn
R
82
WR
Wendell Davis
LSU
R
84
WR
Ron Morris
SMU
2
85
WR
Dennis McKinnon
Florida State
6
87
TE
Emery Moorehead
Colorado
12
88
WR
Glen Kozlowski
BYU
1
90
DE/LB
Al Harris
Arizona State
9
92
LB
Troy Johnson
Oklahoma
R
94
DT
Dick Chapura
Missouri
1
95
DE
Richard Dent
Tenn. St.
6
99
DT
Dan Hampton
Arkansas
10
How did the 1988 Bears do what they did?

Chicago was completely written off by most football writers before the 1988 season began.  Two of the team's greatest strengths prior to the season, speedy linebacker Wilber Marshall and equally speedy receiver Willie Gault, were lost or traded to other teams.
The Bears would also start a new running back, Neal Anderson, and free safety Shaun Gayle, to replace departed legends Walter Payton and Gary Fencik, who had retired.
Even worse, the 1988 team was beset by a rash of injuries to Pro Bowl players.  All-pro Left Tackle Jim Covert was lost for most of the regular season and was replaced by journeyman John Wojciechowski.  On the defensive line, Richard Dent may have been having his best season as a pro, but broke his leg and missed the second half and playoffs.  William "Refrigerator" Perry broke his arm and also missed the majority of the season.  In the defensive secondary, numerous injuries led to the starting of such players as Todd Krumm (44) and Lorenzo Lynch (43).
It also seemed the team was auditioning offensive skill players all season.  On one series, receivers Dennis McKinnon and Dennis Gentry would be on the field, and the next it would be Ron Morris and the rookie Wendell Davis.  At running back the Bears alternated Neal Anderson, Thomas Sanders, Matt Suhey and Brad Muster.
Despite all these changes, shuffling, a heart attack for the heart and soul of the team, and a fog-shrouded playoff game, the Bears were the class of the NFC until the final game of the season.


 
Thanks to the Wilber Marshall trade, the Bears had two first-round draft picks for the first time since 1983.  They used the picks to select wide receiver Wendell Davis from LSU and running back Brad Muster from Stanford.  Many prognosticators wrote the Bears out of the 1988 championship season before it even began.  This was due mostly to the fact that Chicago lost four key contributors from their Super Bowl season of 1985.  Walter Payton and Gary Fencik retired after stellar careers.  Linebacker Wilber Marshall was lost to free agency, and receiver Willie Gault was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders.  Despite these losses, the Bears continued their dominance, amazingly finishing second in the NFL in defense and securing homefield advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs.  The team started 2-0, then suffered a demoralizing defeat at home to the Minnesota Vikings.  They dominated in the next four games, then won a 10-9 Monday Night Football thriller against the San Francisco 49ers.  On October 30th, Doug Flutie shocked Chicago by leading his New England Patriots to a 30-7 trouncing of the Bears, in a game that knocked quarterback Jim McMahon out for the remainder of the regular season.  Following a win over Tampa on November 6th, legendary Head Coach Mike Ditka suffered a heart attack, and was replaced as interim coach by defensive coordinator Vince Tobin for a game.  Finally, on December 19th the Bears traveled to Minnesota for a meaningless season finale against the Vikings.  Chicago led 27-21 late in the fourth quarter, inside the Viking 10, when an easy field goal would have put the game out of reach.  Mike Tomczak threw an interception on third down that was returned for a touchdown by the Vikings, leading to a 28-27 loss.  The New Years' Eve Divisional Playoff game at Soldier Field will forever be known as the Fog Bowl, when a halftime fog blew off Lake Michigan to shroud the playing surface.  The Bears won that game 20-12, but were soundly defeated in the NFC Championship by the eventual Super Bowl winning San Francisco 49ers. 
The Los Angeles Raiders begin amassing speed and talent. Owner Al Davis shrewdly spent a late-round pick on the baseball-playing Bo Jackson in 1987, then controlled his rights when he began playing football. They take future Hall of Fame receiver Tim Brown in the draft and trade for Chicago's Willie Gault. Seattle is predicted by some to win the Super Bowl, but only posts a 9-7 record, losing in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs. Minnesota seems to legitimately be back in the groove, making the playoffs for the second time and advancing to the divisional round. They are defeated by the 49ers, who avenged their defeat at the hands of the Vikings the previous season. San Francisco finished 10-6 in the regular season to the Bears' 12-4, but seemed to save their best play for the postseason. They defeated Chicago in frigid Soldier Field 28-3, and went on to win Super Bowl 23 20-16 over Cincinnati. The game was a rematch of 1981's championship game.
1988 Bears Draft
Rd
Pos
Name
School
1a
RB
Brad Muster
Stanford
1b
WR
Wendell Davis
LSU
2
LB
Dante Jones
Oklahoma
3
DE
Ralph Jarvis
Temple
4
TE
Jim Thornton
Cal St. Flrtn.
5
LB
Troy Johnson
Oklahoma
6
CB
Lemuel Stinson
Texas Tech
7
T
Caesar Rentie
Oklahoma
8a
DB
David Tate
Colorado
8b
RB
Harvey Reed
Howard
9
WR
Rogie McGee
LSU
10
T
Joel Porter
Baylor
11
LB
Joel Forch
Nebraska
12
LB
Greg Clark
Arizona State
1988 Bears Trades
1989 first-round pick and 1990 conditional pick from LA Raiders for Wide Receiver Willie Gault
1988 Bears Free Agent Signings
None of note
1988 Bears Departures
LB Wilber Marshall, lost to free agency to Washington.  Bears receive Washington's first round picks in 1988 and 1989 as compensation
RB Walter Payton, Retired
FS Gary Fencik, Retired
LB Otis Wilson, injured then released
1988 Chicago Bears Awards
NFC Central Champions
Mike Ditka, NFC Coach of the Year
Mike Singletary, NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Neal Anderson, RB, Pro Bowl (1)
Mark Bortz, G, Pro Bowl (1)
Dave Duerson, SS, Pro Bowl (4)
Jay Hilgenberg, C, Pro Bowl (4)
Mike Singletary, LB, Pro Bowl (6)








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