'85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History 2017

To be a sports fan in Chicago often meant grappling with frustration and disappointment. The Cubs, White Sox, and Black Hawks were rarely significant contenders by the end of their seasons. Before 1985, the Chicago Bears hadn’t clinched a championship title since 1963, with most of their seasons proving to be largely irrelevant. This prevailing discontent led some frustrated Bear fans to engage in outrageous expressions of their displeasure, including hurling beer at players as they exited the stadium, and even burning a hole in the tarp put up to shield them from such indignities.

In the 1980s, however, things began to shift for the Bears. They started drafting promising players like Jim McMahon](/actor/jim-mcmahon), Mike Singletary, Steve McMichael, Willie Gault, Dennis McKinnon, and Jim Covert, alongside enduring talents like Otis Wilson and Walter Payton. This new wave of athletes, unaccustomed to losing, was determined to shake off the franchise’s history of failure. In 1982, Mike Ditka was appointed as the Bears’ head coach, a position he accepted with genuine enthusiasm after feeling he had left the team as a player under unsatisfactory circumstances. During his first practice, Ditka delivered a blunt message, presenting both good and bad news: he forecast the Bears would reach the Super Bowl in just three years, but warned that half the current roster wouldn’t be part of that journey. This tough love became a hallmark of Ditka’s coaching style, which mirrored the grit and determination that the Bears displayed on the field.

As the team dynamic evolved under Ditka’s leadership, tensions flared both on and off the field, particularly between Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan. Ryan had been retained at the behest of George Halas, resulting in a uniquely split team: the defense operated with a drill-sergeant mentality, while Ditka ran a free-spirited offense. Training sessions were physically demanding, leading to skirmishes between offensive and defensive players. The Bears adopted a formidable and aggressive 46 defense, becoming a fearsome presence in the league.

In search of a top quarterback, Ditka brought in Jim McMahon from Brigham Young University in 1983. McMahon embodied a rebellious spirit, often operating outside the typical confines of player conduct. His initial reluctance to sign a contract after being made to wait showed his defiance toward authority; he often changed plays on the field and added personal endorsements to his headgear. This unconventional approach frustrated Ditka at times, but McMahon’s intelligence and leadership transformed him into a respected figure among players, instilling a newfound belief in the team’s Super Bowl potential.

The turning point came in 1984 when the young squad began to realize its full capabilities. The Bears, to the delight of veteran player Jim Osborne, clinched their first division title, leading to a celebratory moment marked by the very first Gatorade shower over a coach. However, the thrill of that accomplishment was subdued after a harsh lesson against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game, which left the Bears scoreless at 23-0. The entire team left vowing to return the following year with the drive to secure a Super Bowl berth.

Walter Payton, revered as one of the greatest running backs in history, had long been the face of the franchise. His quiet demeanor belied a tremendous talent, and as more skilled players joined the roster, fans hoped to see him realize his Super Bowl dream. Notably, William “Refrigerator” Perry emerged as a multifaceted player, known for his agility despite weighing over 300 pounds, providing crucial support both defensively and as a unique offensive weapon under Ditka’s guidance.

The Bears’ popularity surged, and their antics were even immortalized through the “Superfan” characters on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, which captured the essence of the die-hard fan culture surrounding the team. As the season progressed, the Bears concluded with an impressive record of 12-0. However, their undefeated streak was shattered by the Miami Dolphins, led by Dan Marino, in a humbling defeat that prompted a team-wide reflection to recalibrate egos and refocus the remaining season.

The infamous “Super Bowl Shuffle” video was recorded shortly after the Bears’ only loss of the season. Initially apprehensive about the timing, Jim McMahon and Walter Payton eventually participated separately, adding their segments later with great fanfare. As the playoffs approached, the Bears’ defense delivered staggering performances, even shutting out both the Giants and the vaunted Los Angeles running game during the conference championship.

Excitement reached a fever pitch as the Bears prepared for the Super Bowl. The atmosphere in New Orleans was electric, with fans from both teams populating Bourbon Street. Yet, amidst the revelry, controversy swirled around McMahon after supposedly disrespecting the city, leaving him tense in the lead-up to the big game. The night before the Super Bowl intensified emotions for the Bears’ defense as they acknowledged the impending departure of Buddy Ryan, who had profoundly influenced their strategy.

On January 26, 1986, the Chicago Bears dominated the New England Patriots, winning decisively with a score of 46-10. The victory was a testament to the Bears’ capabilities, marking them as the best team that day—an achievement celebrated widely. Fans flooded the streets of Chicago in cold weather to commemorate the championship victory, reinforcing the Bears’ cultural significance in Chicago.

In the aftermath of the Super Bowl, however, a lingering regret persisted for many—especially Ditka and Payton—due to Payton’s absence in the end zone during this pivotal game. The team celebrated their success, but tragedy struck shortly thereafter with the Challenger space shuttle disaster, casting a shadow over the city’s triumph. In time, the reality of sports continued to provide a unifying force for various communities, though the Bears struggled to replicate their glory.

The decline began with a lack of focus among players and injuries that plagued McMahon, and ultimately the Bears couldn’t sustain their championship legacy. Many claimed that the 1985 Bears were the greatest single-season team, with a legendary defense that became the standard in the NFL.

Despite their tumultuous journey, the legacy of the 1985 Bears was solidified when, years later, President Barack Obama, an avid Bears fan, invited the team to the White House for a celebration of their achievements. This visit allowed the players to reflect on their bond, their impact on Chicago, and the profound legacy they had created, further revealing the emotional gravity of their time together. In hindsight, many players believed that had they stayed united longer than the 1985 season, they might have secured additional championships, a sentiment echoed by Mike Singletary even decades later.