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Home , 46 defense, Bobby Wade, Brian Urlacher, Brock Forsey, Buddy Ryan, Dave Duerson

September 2003 Volume 1, Issue 1 Your Newsletter

Thanks for subscribing to the “New” -from Frustration to Reality Bears History Newsletter! This is the premiere issue with many On September 29, 2003, the more to come. much maligned "new stadium PLEASE...print the newslet- at" Soldier Field will open with ter, share it with someone, fanfare when the e-mail it to fellow Bear fans host the on and encourage others to sign up. This publication will . Love remain free with no advertis- the new stadium or hate it-and ing, just help us out by there are plenty of denizens in spreading the word. each of those camps-Chicago will have its first new football venue in its history. Those that feel the stadium looks strange should know the story behind its creation is equally eccentric.

Soldier Field was built in “New” Soldier Field on July 14, 2003. Inside this issue: 1924 as a public, multipurpose sports venue, and was originally named Municipal on September 19, 1971. During the 1970s, after Stadium. Soon thereafter, its To Bears' owner announced the team name was changed to honor Halas, Soldier Field was never would look into building a sta- Soldier Field 1 American military personnel intended to be a permanent dium in suburban Arlington that fought in . The home. 47 years had taken its toll Heights, Chicago Mayor Rich- building played host to a wide on the structure, and no signifi- ard Daley stated the team would variety of sporting events from cant renovations were done for need to change their name to the Stadium Facts 3 its construction until 2001. the team before it moved in. "Arlington Heights Bears," Those events included the 1927 Additionally, the stadium was should they move to the suburbs. Dempsey -Tunney boxing match, designed for a plethora of differ- In his book Chicago's Cubs, ski-jump competitions, religious ent events but was not perfect author Jonathan Alter captured 2003 Preview 4 festivals, concerts, world cup for professional football. the discussion: soccer, and 41 Though it was not lamented all-star games. during the era of aging and mul- "I think that's fine, George. You're a businessman. Do what Ditka vs. Ryan 5 The Chicago Bears began tipurpose /football stadi- you have to do. By the way, our playing their games full-time at ums, Soldier Field's "sightlines" lawyers say you can't take the (then known as were poor. Because the sta- name Chicago with you out Cubs Park) in 1921, and contin- dium's seating areas rose at a there. We'd have to take you to ued to play there for 49 years. low pitch, fans were taken far- 2003 Draft Class 6 court. That could take years. I In 1970, the National Football ther away from the action as the wonder how many people will League ruled that all teams must seats rose. This configuration come out to see The Arlington play in stadiums that seated also contributed to crowd noise Heights Bears? I wonder how more than 50,000 fans, and the leaving the stadium. These Bears Trivia 6 excited the network people will Bears were forced to find a new problems would linger through- be about broadcasting The Ar- home. After losing a bid to out the organization's search for lington Heights Bears? move to Northwestern Univer- a new home. 2003 Tailgating 8 sity's Dyche Stadium, the Bears' Continued on next page new den became Soldier Field

September 2003 Page 2

Soldier Field, continued

You're a fine businessman, zations proposed building a dent didn't wait long to make George. You make the call." new Bears stadium south of his first announcement. Early Soldier Field, and in late 1989, that year, the Bears purchased In 1978, the team and the Chicago heard its first utterance options on land in suburban , which of the word "McDome." Hoffman Estates and Aurora, owned and operated Soldier and proposed that a $285 mil- Field, reached an agreement. In McDome was a proposal lion open-air stadium be con- exchange for a 20-year lease for a new domed Bears sta- structed. That figure would from the Bears, Soldier Field dium, similar in style to those require $185 million in public would be renovated over the built in Indianapolis, Minnesota funds; the issue would never be Soldier Field’s course of the following three and Detroit. (One of these sta- brought to the legislature for a original seasons. Individual seats re- diums is now vacant, the other vote. configuration. placed benches, the stadium two have very unhappy tenants was reconfigured into a bowl and visitors). The dome was In a more striking develop- from a horseshoe, and new proposed to the Legisla- ment, McCaskey announced in skyboxes, press boxes, conces- ture as a part of the McCormick September of that year that he sion areas and restrooms were Place expansion plan. Bears and a group of Northwest Indi- constructed. These renovations President Michael McCaskey ana developers had come to an were completed prior to the aligned with Governor Jim agreement to build an entertain- 1982 season. Although the Edgar on the proposal, but the ment complex called "Planet stadium was much more func- plan was rejected by the Illinois Park," which would include a “By the way, tional than it was prior to these Legislature in late 1990. Al- new Bears stadium, in Gary, upgrades, terms of the lease though it's safe to say the vast IN. A month later, Daley re- our lawyers tell agreement would haunt the majority of Bears fans were sponded to the Bears with an team and drive it along its path relieved to learn the team would offer to spend $156 million to us you can’t to finding an alternative to the not be playing indoors, completely renovate Soldier then-55 year old building. McCaskey was disappointed, Field. The construction would take the name and for the first time indicated be completed during the offsea- Stadium peace lasted from that the organization would son in 1998, would drop the Chicago with the completion of Soldier Field consider all alternatives, includ- field 18 feet and create an upper renovations through the Bears' ing relocation, to acquire a new deck, add skyboxes, a score- you out there. I remarkable 1985 stadium. board and an exclusive restau- run. Just a few years after the rant. While McCaskey called wonder how new lease was signed, however, 1991-1994 was quiet on the proposal a "more thorough a new motivator for a redes- the new stadium/relocation plan than we expected," he also many people igned Bears stadium came into front, although Daley did pro- stated that he "didn't think reno- play. That force was the al- pose further renovations, in- vating Soldier Field will be the will come out to mighty dollar. During the late cluding installation of a jumbo answer." 1980's, teams that built sky- video scoreboard, in 1992. In see the boxes and negotiated leases exchange, the team would need McCaskey missed his self- which allowed them to share to sign a lease extension. The imposed deadline at the of Arlington concession, parking and adver- proposed renovations were 1995 for having a new stadium tising revenues found financial pulled off the table by Daley plan in place. In December he Heights Bears.” windfalls, while teams that did after the firing of dismissed Daley's stadium pro- not fell short. The Bears' lease on January 5, 1993. posal, asked Edgar to recon- -Chicago Mayor with the Chicago Park District sider the McDome plan, and In 1995, the Bears organi- gave them only a portion of the kept the Gary site as his trump Richard Daley revenues from concessions, and zation, led by McCaskey, came card. Speaking of the Gary out firing. McCaskey an- none from parking or signage plan, the developers had asked to George within the stadium. As other nounced that the team planned the team to sign a letter of in- on beginning the 2000 season in teams maximized these revenue tent on the deal by mid- Halas streams, those without begged a new stadium at any cost. "If February 1996 prior to them for renegotiations of leases or time slips away on this, we'll placing a Lake County, IN tax for new stadiums. have to consider other alterna- increase on that year's ballot. tives," McCaskey said as he Thus began a full 13 years imposed a deadline at the end On February 2, 1996, the of stadium talk in Chicago. In of 1995 to come to resolution Lake County Council rejected 1986, Chicago business organi- on the issue. The team presi- Continued on next page September 2003 Page 3

Soldier Field, conclusion the plan, and “Planet Park” was dismissed on December 28th, $587 million plan would build dead. and a flurry of new coaching the new 61,500 seat stadium prospects visited within the shell of the old Perhaps the most grandi- during the first three weeks of venue, preserving the historic The destruction of ose plan for a Bears stadium January. On the 22nd, colonnades and exterior walls. “old” Soldier Field was proposed in September, McCaskey called a news con- Included in the plan were the began immediately 1996, when Daley unveiled a ference to announce former creation of parkland surround- after the Bears’ playoff $395 million proposal to refur- loss to on Bear LB coach Dave McGinnis ing the stadium, a new parking January 19, 2002. bish the existing stadium and had accepted the Bears' head garage to the north, and numer- equip it with a retractable roof. coaching position before he ous modern amenities within. The translucent roof would offered the job to him. On More importantly for the team, cover the north end zone seats February 2nd, the new facility would generate and could be closed in 10 min- disclosed that he had a liver much more income, with the utes. Although Daley's latest disease that would eventually organization finally getting the plan would satisfy Edgar's de- take his life, and on February majority of revenue from adver- sire for a multipurpose facility 10th, Virginia McCaskey an- tising, parking, concessions, and the Bears' want for an open nounced that she was replacing and luxury box leases. air-stadium, it was ultimately her son Michael as CEO with rejected for not addressing the team VP . The proposal quickly field's other flaws, such as gained legislative approval in By February 2002,one sightlines. Phillips, long designated December 2000, and despite month after the pro- the "point man" by Michael numerous lawsuits, construction ject began, the stands In 1998, Daley suggested McCaskey on stadium issues, began immediately following had been gutted and that the Bears share Comiskey would finally get the stadium the team's playoff loss in Janu- the foundation work began. Park with the White Sox. Con- job done, most thought. In ary 2002. Amid scathing criti- currently, the team was working March, the new team president cism of the stadium's appear- on another project. During that signed a five-year lease exten- ance, the new structure will year, McCaskey signed an sion at Soldier Field, and de- open on September 29, 2003 as agreement with Alan Busse on clared that the Bears should the Bears host the Green Bay an option to purchase 69 acres always play within Chicago's Packers on Monday Night Foot- of his land near Elk Grove Vil- city limits. Such talk was re- . lage, IL. The move would freshing to the city, considering prove to be McCaskey's swan McCaskey's penchant for refer- As long as the new sta- song on the stadium matter. ring to the option of dium will stand on the shore of The team president's plan was "relocation" over the previous , its detractors to build a 68,000 seat outdoor five years. In May 1999, talk will call it the "mistake by the “New” Soldier Field is stadium north of the village, began to surface that the City of lake." Those who make use of and the majority of citizens in the stadium to watch their fa- nearly completed as of Chicago and the Bears were this date. the community were outraged. discussing a plan to raze all but vorite football team play will be Several town meetings were Soldier Field's columns, and overjoyed at the modern ameni- held to voice the people's oppo- build an entirely new stadium ties which Chicago lacked sition to the plan, and officials within. In August 2000, word through the 20th century. From in the village planned to place a had it that a $500 million reno- Halas and Richard Daley Sr., referendum on the issue on the vation plan was close. through Ted Phillips and Daley April, 1999 ballot. The referen- Jr., and after the many, many dum never was necessary, as And on November 22, days when it seemed it would the team pulled the plug on its 2000, the City of Chicago and never get done, on September latest project in January 1999. the Chicago Bears formally 29th, Chicago will have its 21st Little did anyone know that the unveiled their plan for the new century icon at last. political landscape for a new stadium at Soldier Field. The Bears stadium was about to The colonnades have New Stadium Facts been preserved and change dramatically. will be accessible -Soldier Field opens on September 29, 2003. January and February 1999 year-round. -The Bears won their first and last regular season would prove to generate the most Bears news since the 1985 games at the old stadium. Super Bowl season. Head -The stadium will seat roughly 61,500 fans, Coach Dave Wannestedt was approximately 6,000 less than the old field.

September 2003 Page 4

2003 Bears-Will the Club Finish 13-3 or 4-12? It’s Anyone’s Guess

into first downs. This, along ported that with questionable play calling prepared a speech early in on third-and-long, resulted in camp to fire up the players the offense being ranked fifth- for the Jauron crusade. worst in third down percentage Urlacher subsequently de- in the NFL. com- nied the report, but the fact mented that the Bears will not remains that the coach change their philosophy even if probably needs at least a teams take their gameplan winning record to finish his away, meaning the team intends contract, which runs to continue to run the ball even through 2004, in Chicago. when they can't. In 2001, the team played has been loyal to their hearts out for Jauron Shoop to a fault, but if his team and won 13 games, so this finishes 4-12 and doesn't score effort did work before. points again, both may be look- ing for a job in 2004. -Key second-year players Will the 2001 defense return in 2003? Will Ted Washington perform well. Marc Co- stay healthy? Many questions face the 2003 unit. -Players that tailed off in 2002 lombo, Roosevelt Williams, fail to play to their potential Bobby Gray, Brian Knight again. After breakout seasons and Adrian Peterson are It would clearly be easy to offense, this could turn out to in 2001, Anthony Thomas, being counted on to per- write off the 2003 Bears as be the second coming of Rick R.W. McQuarters, Jerry Azu- form. Knight, Peterson and another 4-12 team. With Mirer. And the 2003 team mah and Mike Green's perform- Gray showed flashes, Co- matchups at , doesn't have an to ance slid. All have shown that lombo and Gray were lost Minnesota, and fall back on as they did in 1997. they can be playmakers in the to injury, and Williams home games against Green Bay Even if Stewart doesn't pan out, NFL, but if their performance disappointed in 2002. If and Oakland in the season's at least the team didn't throw does not rebound, long-term Colombo can recover from first five weeks, it is feasible away a first-round draft pick changes will need to be made at his devastating injury, that the team could start 0-5. this time. their positions. Knight can replace Roose- But it was also easy to predict a -Injuries decimate the team as velt Colvin and the rest last-place finish in 2001, which The 2003 Chicago Bears threaten to crack the lineup, most did, and the club re- they did in 2002. This obvi- could realistically finish 12-4 ously goes without saying. Chicago will not only win sponded by winning a division and win their division if: in '03 but be comfortable in championship. As a result, this With the exception of right , the team - grasps the their depth for the next five prognosticator will no longer offense, it takes advantage of years. attempt to gauge the team's is happy with the current health of its roster. However, should his strengths, and he wins See “2003”, page 7 final record. Instead, it's more over his teammates and the logical to examine the scenarios the offensive & defensive lines, , running backs, fans. If this happens, the fans in which the team could finish and the city will be his for the in first place, or last. Thus: and positions lose key starters taking, as the previous few Did you know? The 2003 team could realisti- again, there is not a team in the successful Bears cally finish 4-12 if: NFL that would have a winning have proven. Stewart brings The Bears will wear the most athletic potential to the season. (Unless that team's a patch on their -"Bad" Kordell Stewart takes QB position in Chicago since a quarterback is , who home uniforms this the field more often than has proven he can win with young waited in fall celebrating the "good" Kordell. Stewart was extremely questionable talent the wings. While a quarterback in 2001 surrounding him). showed flashes at being a ser- new stadium. They and led his team to the AFC viceable veteran, he does not also will wear an Championship game twice. He -John Shoop does not dra- possess Stewart's mobility, orange shamrock on was also unable to advance the matically improve the play durability, and athleticism. their helmets in farther than calling skills he has shown Stewart needs a fast start, how- honor of the late Ed that game, and was benched over the last two seasons. On ever, or Chicago fans may for- McCaskey, Chair- numerous times in his career numerous occasions in 2002, get that #10 is no longer worn man of the Chicago there. Should Kordell's Shoop called similar plays on by . Bears Board. strengths not be emphasized, or consecutive downs and failed to if he fails to grasp John Shoop's convert short-yardage situations -The team rallies around its embattled coach. It was re- September 2003 Page 5

Ditka versus his “Buddy”-Eagles-Bears 1986-1989

Typically, a rivalry in the ally led the NFL in all defen- himself. He told one publica- NFL is forged after year upon sive categories, even when the tion that the Bears "didn't have year of continuous play be- team's record was poor in '82 a chance" to repeat as world tween two teams. Bears- and '83. And Ditka, although champions. "Any team in his- Packers and Bears- are the he preferred a more conserva- tory has a tough time. You just league's two oldest continuous tive 3-4 alignment, gave Ryan can't do it. Too many things conflicts, stretching back to full reign over his unit. Safety have to go right for you." To 1921 and 1930, respectively. (1983-1990) has this, McMichael, never a huge Although the Philadelphia Ea- stated that Ditka only interfered Ryan fan, responded by saying gles began league play in 1933, in a defensive meeting once, "The old fat man has been talk- the Bears have played them when Ryan told him to "get out, ing a little stuff in Philly, ain't Mike Ditka took the only roughly every other year. this is my team, these are my he?" Eagles Mike high road in response The 34 total games between the players." Waters called the Bears to ’s barbs two pale in comparison to the "pansies" and "babies" prior to from 1986-1988, but During halftime of the finally hit back after 165 played between the Bears the game, which Chicago won and Packers. 1985 loss to the Miami Dol- in overtime, 13-10. the 1989 contest. phins, the ill feelings came to a The Bears-Eagles series head. After Ryan refused The following season, did gain rivalry status between Ditka's orders to insert a corner- Chicago and Philadelphia again 1986 and 1989, however, when back to cover WR faced off, this time in Veteran's opposing head coaches Mike instead of Wilbur Stadium. Most bantering be- “He’s just Ditka and Buddy Ryan faced Marshall, Ditka offered to take tween the two coaches was off. The best part about it: Ryan outside to resolve the silenced, as this would be the jealous. We all Chicago dominated. situation. "We can do it any first game played after the way you want to. We can go NFLPA called a strike. The know who James "Buddy" Ryan be- right out back and get it on or contest would feature replace- gan his career as Bears defen- you can shape your ass up," ment players, better known as would win sive coordinator after being Ditka recalled. Whether the "scabs", on each side of the brought on by head coach Neill fight ever occurred is a mys- ball. The two field generals Ditka vs. Ryan. Armstrong in 1978. Following tery, but Chicago did lose the looked at the "scabs" in entirely Armstrong's firing after the game en route to its Super Bowl different ways, which probably Ditka, hands 1981 campaign, many players 20 victory. The night before influenced the outcome of the and staffers thought the head that game, Ryan announced he game. Ditka embraced the down.” coach position would be given was leaving to become head players as "the real Bears," to Ryan. Defensive tackle Alan coach of the Eagles. Players while Ryan called his team "the -Mike Ditka Page wrote a letter to George and Ryan cried before DT Steve worst bunch of football players Halas, imploring the aging McMichael (1981-1993) threw I've ever seen." The AFL-CIO 10/2/89 owner to retain Ryan. The a chair that stuck into the wall in Philadelphia threatened a letter was signed by all of Chi- to dry the group's tears with disturbance at the game, and the cago's defensive players. In testosterone. With Ryan's de- Teamster's union circled the response, Halas was driven in a parture, and a 1986 matchup field with semi trucks. Bear golf cart to address the defense already scheduled between players arrived for the game at on the practice field. Accord- Chicago and Philadelphia, an 5 a.m. to avoid the conflict, just ing to a 1988 article by the intense rivalry was born. over 4,000 fans showed up, and 's Don Pierson, Chicago prevailed 35-3. Halas told the players that September 14, 1986 fea- " is a fine coach, tured the first matchup of Ryan The teams didn't meet you have nothing to worry and Ditka at Soldier Field. during the 1988 regular season, about." Halas re-signed Ryan Ditka remained diplomatic as an eventful campaign for both to a new deal as coordinator the media questioned him on clubs. Ryan's Eagles took the before hiring Mike Ditka as his reunion with his bitter for- NFC by surprise, winning the head coach shortly thereafter. mer assistant. "I don't have a East with a 10-6 record, their Ryan and his play- Thus began the famous Ditka- psychiatric degree, so if you first winning season since 1981. ers took every op- Ryan feud. guys want to talk football, we In Chicago, the team rebounded portunity to trash can talk. They guy that was from key personnel losses, inju- To say Ryan's defenses talk, but were de- here in 1982, I liked, but he's ries, poor treatment by the me- were stellar for the Bears from feated in each con- not here anymore," Ditka told dia 1982-1984 would be an under- test. reporters. At the same time, statement. His defenders usu- Ryan didn't see fit to muzzle See Rivalry, Page 7 September 2003 Page 6

2003 Draft Class-Definitely Quantity, Hopefully Quality Bears Trivia , Round 1 Pick be disruptive in the backfield. 22, QB, Florida: The possibil- Second-team all-SEC two years 1. What Hall-of- ity of selecting Rex Grossman straight at Florida. Famer did the didn't seem possible to most Bears prognosticators prior to , Round 5 Pick Bears defeat as the 2003 draft. Most buzz in- 139, WR, Arizona: Wade was they opened volving Grossman had him penciled in as the team's top being courted by Green Bay, returner prior to camp. Report- Soldier Field in edly has been catching every- 1971? which they subsequently de- nied. Grossman was a Heisman thing thrown near him at Bour- Trophy finalist after the 2001 bonnais. Compared to former season, but his performance Bear Bobby Engram, doesn't 2. What record possess blazing speed but con- does Rex tailed off under new coach in 2002. It is reported centrates on running sharp Grossman’s that Grossman doesn't have the routes and catching the ball. Seems we’ve learned our former coach, lesson-Chicago concealed its strongest of NFL arms, but his , Round 5 Pick 143, , interest in Rex Grossman release has been compared to WR, Missouri: Singled out by hold against prior to draft day. Brett Favre's. All reports have General Manager Grossman looking excellent in as the man to push David Ter- the Bears? Rather than draft consen- camp. rell. At 6’ 4”, Gage towers over sus #4 pick Bernard Robertson, opposing , but is on April 25th Bears GM Jerry , Round 2 Pick 3. Why did the 35, CB, -Lafayette: slightly skinny at 217 pounds. Angelo sent the Bears' pick to Caught passes for 1,075 yards original Bears the for their #14 Tillman reported to camp four days late after a brief holdout and nine in 2002 uniform have and #22 selections in the draft. for the Tigers. Speculation immediately had but has impressed coaches since vertical stripes the Bears using that second pick his arrival. Coaches and fans Tron LaFavor, Round 5 Pick sewn into the on a quarterback or . have huge expectations for the 171, DT, Florida: Durable jersey? This would be the first draft 6' 1" corner, who has been pen- defensive tackle with above- since 1989 in which the Bears ciled in as the starting third CB average quickness, LaFavor had multiple first-round picks. in the Bears' nickel package. became the fourth Florida Gator 4. Chris Chan- In that draft, the team took DE Tillman's selection was surpris- selected by the Bears in 2003. dler extended and CB ing to some who had him listed on their draft boards as low as a Joe Odom, Round 6 Pick 191, his NFL record . Both of LB, Purdue: Could provide those players went on to stellar third or fourth-round pick. among quarter- depth on defense and special careers in the NFL; time will , Round 3 Pick 68, teams, has surprised coaches backs in 2002. tell if good fortune will prevail LB, Arizona: Reported to be in with his athleticism in training What was the on this year's pair. How the the "" mold, small camp. record? 2003 draft shaped up: but fast and hard-hitting. Played MLB in college but is , Round 6 Pick Michael Haynes, Round 1 Pick 206, RB, Boise State: Rushed 14, DE, Penn State: Led Big lining up outside in camp. Has been impressing. for over 1600 yards his senior Good Luck! Ten in sacks during 2002 sea- season and scored an amazing Answers on back son, Defensive MVP of Senior , Round 4 Pick 32 touchdowns for Boise State. page Bowl, during which he logged 100, S, Florida: Hard-hitting Has been pointed out several four sacks. Bears coveted a safety has been compared to times by coaches for his play defensive tackle, but early se- Buccaneers' John Lynch. Ex- during camp. lections of Dwayne Robertson, cellent in run support in col- Jonathan Sullivan, Kevin Wil- lege. Bryan Anderson, Round 7, Pick liams, Jimmy Kennedy and Ty 261, G, Pittsburgh: Durable Warren led them to select Ian Scott, Round 4 Pick 116, offensive lineman missed only Haynes. Will get immediate DT, Florida: Failing to nab a one game in four years at Pitt. work in the Bears' defensive defensive tackle in the first line rotation. Has been hin- round, Chicago drafted several dered by minor injuries in train- in the mid-rounds. Scott has ing camp. good burst off the ball and can September 2003 Page 7

31st along Lake Michigan. long." The Eagles' defense of the end for Mike Ditka, Rivalry, continued Chicago opened up a 17-9 was joined on the field by who was fired three years lead on Ryan and the Eagles, another Bears castoff, Al later. Ryan's teams would and a Ditka heart attack by thanks to several major gaffes Harris, and again finish 11-5 and 10-6 in ‘89 compiling a 12-4 record and committed by Philadelphia. showed his fervor against and ‘90, but the outspoken securing home-field advantage Then suddenly a fog de- Chicago by getting into a coach was released after the throughout the playoffs. It scended upon the field which heated argument with Rich- 1990 season for failing to seemed like karma, then, that shrouded the stadium and ard Dent. Bell broke his leg win a playoff game. Ryan the Eagles were scheduled for created perhaps the most pe- in the contest. And finally, then served a two-year stint a divisional playoff game at culiar football game in his- Mike Ditka hit back at Ryan with the in Solider Field on New Year's tory. The Bears held on to after the game, after remain- '94 and '95, after which he Eve 1988. Ditka again took win despite the Eagles pene- ing silent on the subject for retired to his horse ranch in the high road when asked trating Chicago's 25-yard line nearly four years. Sounding Kentucky. Ditka tried to about Ryan, calling the nine times. The recalcitrant like the quintessential Ditka, reprise his glory from 1997- matchup "just another game." Ryan was brave as he met the he said "I'm the duck and it's 99 with New Orleans, who "Our team will play their team. media, giving credit to the like water off a duck's back" also fired him after three I doubt that he will make any Bears' defense-but not their in reference to Ryan's con- frustrating seasons. Ditka tackles, or I will make any coaching. "Credit the Bears. stant remarks. "He's just "retired" to continue to make catches. Team against team, And hold your head high," he jealous. You know what millions on endorsements, that's what it will be," Ditka told his players. "You have they say. Empty tin cans restaurants and broadcasting said. But as usual, Ryan chose nothing to be ashamed of." make the most noise, and he's jobs. the opposite route. Ryan an empty tin can. This game called the Eagles' personnel It's doubtful that either is between the Bears and the As an amusing epilogue "better than the Bears at every coach could sense that their Eagles, not Ditka and Ryan. to this story, Buddy Ryan position except middle line- Monday Night matchup on We all know who would win finally managed to beat the backer," a nod to his former October 2, 1989 would be that one. Ditka, hands Bears while coaching a pre- best student, . their last, but it certainly down," the Bears icon said. season contest against Dave Ryan also proclaimed the Ea- seemed that way. Even the Perhaps Chicago safety Wannestedt in 1995. Chi- gles to have home field advan- Soldier Field crowd got into finalized the cago held a 16-14 lead with tage in Chicago, since he never the feud in a big way. Fans feud best when he suggested just minutes left, when Ryan lost a playoff game there, displayed banners that read a solution. "Maybe what we re-inserted his starting play- unlike Ditka. Adding to the "Ryan's no buddy of ours," could do after the game is all ers, an unusual practice in the verbal barrage in 1988 was chanted "Bud-dy, Bud-dy" the players circle our cars in preseason. The Arizona first former Bear safety Todd Bell, constantly, and even pelted the parking lot and we let the team, playing against players now playing weak-side line- the coach on the field with two of them go at it." that would soon be cut by backer in Ryan’s . french fries in an allusion to Chicago, moved down the Bell was fired up before, dur- McDonald's commercials in This final matchup be- field and kicked the winning ing and after the game, taunt- which Ryan had starred. Chi- tween the two coaches may with seconds re- ing Bears players and decrying cago won this final matchup have been the crescendo of maining. After posting an 0- his treatment by Ditka and the 27-13 and harassed Eagles each team's success. Chi- 5 record against Chicago Bears' organization while he QB all cago held a 4-0 record after from 1986-1994, Ryan's own played there. By the time the night, despite him throwing the Eagles victory, but would actions confirmed he savored actual game got started, after for 401 yards. After the lose eight of the next ten to that one victory against his the prior week of media game, Ryan said "you don't finish 6-10. Many point to former club. frenzy, the temperature was lose that many times to any- this season as the beginning unusually balmy for December one and stay in this league 2003, continued

-The team finds a way to over the Packers in Soldier Terrell, , Phillip 2001; the team won the beat Brett Favre and the Field's inaugural game would Daniels, R.W. McQuarters division. Hopes were sky - Packers in Chicago. G Chris prove to be an invaluable and Mike Green can play at high in 2002 and they Villarrial has now played confidence booster for this times, but these great per- (stunk). We should know more games with the Bears young club. formances have been spo- by now that our expecta- than any other current player, radic. If these Bears at impor- tions mean nothing until but his team has never beaten -Quite simply, better play tant positions perform consis- the 2003 team takes the the Packers in Chicago in his from players with potential. tently, it will mean a winning field on September 7th. eight years. Even worse, the Observers have seen how season for the team. On that day, many of these team has lost nine in a row to well , Stewart, questions will be an- Green Bay at home. A win Anthony Thomas, David Expectations were low in swered. BearsHistory.com, Where Da Bears are STILL DABEARS

BearsHistory Trivia Answers About the Newsletter

All articles in this newsletter are protected by Copyright Law. No original articles featured 1. In their first game after permanently moving into Soldier Field, herein may be reproduced the Bears beat second-year QB and the Pitts- without the consent of Roy burgh Steelers 17-15 on September 19, 1971. Ironically, Chi- Taylor, webmas- cago could have picked Bradshaw, but lost a coin flip for the [email protected]. #1 pick to the Steelers prior to the 1970 draft. The Bears History Newslet- ter is a periodical created to 2. Spurrier threw 5 passes against the Bears at Sol- immortalize historical events dier Field on November 19, 1972 while playing for San Fran- surrounding the Chicago cisco. This ties him with several others for most in a game. Bears. 3. The vertical stripes were sewn on the uniforms to help players No Chicago Bears or NFL logos or trademarked items hold on to the ball, according to founder/owner/player/coach are used in this newsletter George Halas. The A.E. Staley company allowed the team to or the website, and this is keep the same uniforms when they moved to Chicago, and not an official publication of they were used for several more years after the relocation. either organization. Best effort has been made to 4. Chandler extended his NFL record when he started a game a identify the owners of im- ages or quotes used in quarterback for his seventh team on October 21, 2002 at De- these publications. troit.

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Questions, comments, sug- Chicago tailgaters are gestions and Bears stories already scrambling to make are always welcomed via e- their plans to party in the lots mail to this fall. Problem is, most don’t webmas- know how. [email protected]. The Bears organization Coming Soon: has been extremely vague re- garding the status of tailgating The 1970 Chicago Bears at the new stadium during its Fan Submissions construction. They’ve stated Ditka’s Sideline Antics that they are mindful of the More Trivia great tradition of tailgating at Player Biographies: Matt Soldier Field. Few details have been provided, however, and Suhey, Virgil Livers and We’ll be back in Chicago, albeit in a different lot. more equally few are available to those trying to research on the web. south garage. Standard Park- reserved for buses and RV’s ing, Inc. recently announced a only. Apparently the only op- The new “stadium in a lottery to purchase passes for tion for those of us looking for park” will feature two parking that lot, but a limited cash parking will be 31st Street garages-one to the north of the are available, considering the and several Michigan Avenue Bears History Project stadium and one to the south. P.O. Box 1006 number of tailgaters wanting to lots. Stay tuned to BearsHis- Warrenville, IL 60555 The only official tailgating lot be there. Additionally, “our” tory.com for the latest details. www.BearsHistory.com will reside directly south of the lot at the Planetarium will be