Rewind to ’85 Trio of Lawyers Producing Documentary on Bears Team That Won Super Bowl XX
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CHICAGOLAWBULLETIN.COM MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015 ® Volume 161, No. 17 Rewind to ’85 Trio of lawyers producing documentary on Bears team that won Super Bowl XX BY JACK SILVERSTEIN doing anything. That’s why I Law Bulletin staff writer wanted to do something with the guys, with the organization … so On Jan. 27, 1986, the day after that we can have a good time. Get the Chicago Bears demolished the together and be recognized and New England Patriots in Super have a piece that you can show Bowl XX, an estimated 500,000 your grandkids.” people showed up for the victory Lead producer Lenkov, of Bryce, parade on LaSalle Street, followed Downey & Lenkov LLC — who by a rally at Daley Plaza. practices general liability litigation, Chicago Bears linebacker Otis Wilson (left) and defensive end Here’s who wasn’t there: workers’ compensation and enter - Dan Hampton bring down New England Patriots quarterback Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, tainment law — and director Steve Grogan for a 13-yard loss in Super Bowl XX at the Jay Hilgenberg, Jimbo Covert, Prestin, a sole practitioner who Superdome in New Orleans on Jan. 26, 1986. The Bears won Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, recently relocated to Los Angeles, 46-10. Three attorneys are producing a film that’s billed as the Mike Singletary, Otis Wilson and didn’t personally know any Bears first feature-length documentary about the iconic team. It’s Dave Duerson. when they started. expected to be released in the fall to coincide with the 30th That’s because players selected Instead, they got the ball rolling anniversary of the season. Today is the 29th anniversary of for the following week’s Pro Bowl simply by deciding that they could Super Bowl XX . AP Photo/NFL Photos — like those nine — were provide what the market lacked. required to report to Hawaii the “It did take some nerve,” Wilson needed no convincing. DNA,” Lenkov said. “But the day after the Super Bowl. Lenkov said. “Being an attorney He joined Lenkov and Prestin Chicago Bears were the one team “When you win the Super Bowl, who works with a lot of different as one of the film’s producers I adopted.” the very next day … the players go clients and litigates every day, I’m along with Klest of Klest Injury That happened because the to the Pro Bowl,” said Wilson, one not afraid of trying and Law Firm and film producer Tom team appeared regularly on of the team’s three starting line - sometimes failing.” Pellegrini, whose credits include Canadian TV. Lenkov and his backers. “A lot of guys really After deciding to produce the the 2011 documentary “Jiro father became fans together. didn’t share in that (celebratory) documentary, the group’s first bit Dreams of Sushi.” “That was something we experience.” of luck came when Lenkov — a Prestin has 15 years of produc - shared,” Lenkov said. “That game Because of that, Wilson said, sports memorabilia collector — tion experience and is working on was as huge in Canada as it was despite 29 years of accolades, attended a collectible show at the a documentary about the trial of anywhere.” headlines, books, commercials, Rosemont Convention Center serial killer John Wayne Gacy, So how did a Canadian, Earl reunions, interviews and general with his son early last year. which he is co-producing with Campbell-rooting attorney mythologizing, “There really By coincidence, the show Klest. convince the self-proclaimed hasn’t been anything done on a featured collectibles from the 1985 Prestin also has the fandom “Mama’s Boy Otis” to lead the high level to celebrate this team — Bears with several players in credentials, having grown up first feature-length documentary I mean, citywide. It’s overdue.” attendance. cheering for the Bears in of arguably the greatest NFL A trio of Chicago lawyers feel “I went there with my son and Libertyville, where he watched team of all-time? the same way. literally went up to as many them beat New England, 46-10, in “God’s honest truth?” Wilson Richard W. Lenkov, Scott G. players as I could and told them Super Bowl XX. said. “Ain’t nobody been doing Prestin and Joseph G. Klest are ‘I’m producing a film about the “I remember watching the nothing.” joining Wilson to produce “’85: team,’” he said. “And off we went.” game with my friends, and then There has, of course, been The Untold Story of the Greatest His research as well as conver - we went outside at halftime and plenty of attention shined on that Team in Pro Football History,” a sations with players led him to ask played football in the snow,” team over the past three decades. film they are billing as the first Wilson to join the project as a Prestin said. In 2012, NFL Films produced a feature-length documentary partner. Lenkov has a different story. He 66-minute season recap with about the iconic team. “He was still really active in grew up in Montreal rooting for interviews from players and coach They plan to release it this fall promoting the team,” Lenkov the Canadiens, Expos and, origi - Mike Ditka. In 2013, author Rich to coincide with the 30th anniver - said. “It seemed like he was still in nally, the Houston Oilers because Cohen published “Monsters: The sary of the 1985 season. touch with a lot of the players. of running back Earl Campbell. 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild “The window of opportunity is When we were talking about who “Being a huge sports fan, but Heart of Football,” a biographical closing,” Wilson said. “After 30, to partner up with, to a man, not someone who grew up here, I account of the season. That same many people won’t care about everyone thought Otis.” don’t have Chicago sports in my year, Grantland.com published an Copyright © 2015 Law Bulletin Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from Law Bulletin Publishing Company. oral history of “The Super Bowl Shuffle.” There have also been countless stories about players from that team — including NFL Network’s “A Football Life” documentary about Payton — each of which touches on the season from a single perspective. But has the team been adequately celebrated? “In certain ways, I’d say yes, because they are legendary,” said Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rick Telander, who was inter - viewed for the film. “On the other hand, for as extraordinary a bit of Chicago history it actually encom - passes, maybe you can’t celebrate Joseph G. Klest Scott G. Prestin Richard W. Lenkov it enough.” Along with Wilson, the film - complex than anybody realizes,” reach — it found him in Canada. Duerson, who fatally shot himself makers have interviewed Dan Telander said. “Setting up the Wilson knew when it found him in in the chest in 2011 and left a note Hampton and Steve McMichael interviews, the cameras, the New York after the Super Bowl in which he requested his brain be with “seven or eight” other sound, the lights, the writing and during an endorsement trip. Dent studied due to concerns about members of the team in the works, then (getting) the rights might be traveled there with him, and the concussions he suffered. Lenkov said, including Ditka, the hardest part of all. Who better two called the aforementioned “Those are all really interesting McMahon, Dent, Gary Fencik, than a lawyer?” Taylor — the Hall of Fame line - issues and ones that are relevant Willie Gault and Keith Van Horne. In talks to narrate the film is backer — to hang out on Park now,” Lenkov said. “But honestly, The group is also talking to Chicagoan Jim Belushi. Avenue. our focus is not on that. It’s on opposing players and coaches “He was on the sideline the “A kid was walking with his that year.” from the 1985 season. whole time,” Wilson said. “It’d be parents and said, ‘Ma, that’s one The filmmakers are planning a Joe Theismann — former quar - perfect to have him a part of it.” of the guys that was in the Super theatrical screening in the fall and terback of the Washington As the 1985 season rolled on Bowl Shuffle!’” Wilson said. are exploring streaming options Redskins, who the Bears beat 45- and the wins piled up, Wilson “Didn’t even say ‘That was two with Netflix, Amazon and HBO. 10 in 1985 — is committed, Lenkov knew he was part of something guys who won the Super Bowl.’ Lenkov, Prestin and Klest are open said. The filmmakers are in talks special. He recalls celebrating on ‘That’s the guy who was in the to others getting involved; those with Lawrence Taylor — whose Rush Street with teammates Super Bowl Shuffle!’ … We interested can e-mail Lenkov at New York Giants lost to the Bears following the win over the Giants captured everybody.” [email protected]. in the playoffs, 21-0 — and with that sent the Bears to the NFC Wilson and the filmmakers are “I’m just excited that the story’s Dan Marino and coach Don Shula championship game. hyping the documentary as the going to be told,” Wilson said. “It’s of the Miami Dolphins, the only “That was the greatest experi - “definitive, untold story,” with a a fun story. Of course everybody team to beat the Bears that season. ence, seeing the fans going focus exclusively on events from knows what happened and how it Along with Telander, other berserk,” he said. “We just partied the 1985 season. unfolded, but the behind-the- interviews already done feature with them.