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Question of the day

Friday, Jan 27, 2006

It’s Friday, so let’s do something offbeat again.

Forget the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only team to go undefeated in the Super Bowl age. And the 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers, who won the Super Bowl that season and then captured three more.

The Illinois General Assembly unanimously decided Thursday to designate the 1985 Chicago Bears the greatest football team of all time. The resolution also calls for November 2005 to be named 1985 Chicago Bears Championship month.

“It’s a real honor,” ‘85 Bears tight end Tim Wrightman told the Sun-Times by phone. “I’m glad we didn’t have to play anybody for it, though.”

Under Coach Mike Ditka, the ‘85 Bears shut out two playoff opponents before beating New England 46-10 in the Super Bowl. Thursday marked the 20th anniversary of that Super Bowl win.

Were the ‘85 Bears really the greatest football team ever?

- posted by Rich Miller


18 Comments
  1. - #68 Fan - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 6:17 am:

    No they would have been if Jim Osborne, #68, had not retired the year before. Jim is and was an unsung hero of the Bears.


  2. - Packer Fan - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 8:42 am:

    Talk about the parochial-minded ya-hoos from Chicago. What nonsense. Go to Green Bay, WI if you want to worship at the true altar of football greatness and glory.


  3. - anon - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 9:07 am:

    http://www.dailyherald.com/news/illinoisstory.asp?id=147614


  4. - Bluefish - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 9:25 am:

    The ‘85 Bears were the greatest ever??? 15-1 in the regular season may be good for second best, maybe. Remember, they lost to the Dolphins that year, who were channelling the spirit of the greatest team ever, the undefeated ‘72 Miami Dolphins. Come back and talk when you finish the season without losing. Until then, there is nothing to discuss. Period.

    Good thing there is nothing major to worry about in the General Assembly except for honoring a bunch of football players who are two decades past their glory. Like these legislators know anything about football. I doubt more than a handful could name the starting quarterbacks of the two teams in this year’s Super Bowl. Or even the two teams that are playing for that matter.


  5. - Smitty Irving - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 9:54 am:

    Greatest ever NFL team was the 1925 NFL Champion Chicago Cardinals, who that season beat a team previously known as the Decatur Staleys, now known as the Chicago Bears … .


  6. - Prior - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 9:57 am:

    boo-hoo bluefish


  7. - bored now - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 10:11 am:

    miami dolphins
    miami dolphins
    miami dolphins number one!

    (sung with a cuban accent, which makes dolphins sound like doll-fee)


  8. - Anon. - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 10:17 am:

    If they weren’t the greatest football team - they were certainly the greatest show in football. These guys were the Rolling Stones. People all over the world knew them, and despite their little glitch in Miami, their defense was legendary.

    And the fins were undefeated when the season was 14 games, by the by.


  9. - Team Sleep - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 10:21 am:

    Nope. 2004 Patriots:

    14-2 under the salary cap era.
    Steamrolled through two teams, including Peyton Manning’s Colts, in the playoffs.
    Beat a surging Eagles’ team in the Super Bowl.
    Had “injured” players at several positions and still dominated their opponents.
    Wonderful coaching at all three levels without the Buddy Ryan/Mike Ditka tension.


  10. - Dan Vock - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 10:24 am:

    There’s no doubt that the ‘85 Bears were the best of all time. Still, you gotta hand it to the Daily Herald reporter for tracking down the Florida legislator:

    However, Florida lawmakers and Miami Dolphin fans beg to differ, pointing to the undefeated 1972 Super Bowl champion Dolphins.

    “We’re the only undefeated team. And the 1985 Bears were served their only loss by the Miami Dolphins, 38-24. Need I say more?” said Florida state Rep. Phillip Brutus, a North Miami Democrat.
    ….

    Nice.


  11. - charlie johnston - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 10:29 am:

    They had the greatest defense ever, but best football team? I doubt it. Now if you put the defense of the ‘85 Bears together with the offense of the ‘99 Rams…whoa!


  12. - Nice Suit - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 11:08 am:

    I’d love for the folks here to tell Mongo that the 85 Bears weren’t the greatest.

    Annonymity has it’s perks.

    Here’s why the 85 Bears were the greatest:

    The best RB of all time, all around. He hurt the defenders who tried to tackle him. Anyone says anything else about Sweetness, they are talkin out of their backside.

    The Defense, led by Mike Singletary. The 1972 Dolphins would have been bloodied and crushed by the 85 D line and linebackers.

    85 might not have a perfect record, but when you ask anyone to name players, more people can name more of the 85 Bears roster than any other team.
    Unless you are in Green Bay, and then your opinion only counts as much as how many camouflage items you are wearing.


  13. - Tony @ The Apartment - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 11:48 am:

    I respect the ‘85 Bears, no doubt. Singletary and Sweetness were two of the greatest gentlemen to ever play the game.
    But the greatest NFL team of all time has to be either the ‘66 or ‘97 Green Bay Packers. No doubt about it.


  14. - Papa Legba - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 12:33 pm:

    NO.

    Just pick a Packer Championship team from the Lombardi era. Case closed.


  15. - the Patriot - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 2:11 pm:

    The Bears were one hit wonders. Mmarginal Pats from the AFC were the superbowl opponent. Gotta consider teams with Dynasties, several championchips in short time, Steeers, Pats, Cowboys, Packers, and 49ers. John Wooden said, “anybody can win one in a row.” He would know.


  16. - Bluefish - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 2:26 pm:

    I can see making a case for the ‘85 Bears or the ‘04 Patriots being the #2 team ever (not #1), but the ‘97 Packers? Get real. I can point out in response to the ‘04 Patriots that the ‘72 Dolphins won most of their games with a backup quarterback. Griese went out with a broken leg in week 3 and did not return until the Super Bowl. I never saw the ‘25 Cardinals play, so no comment there.

    As for the ‘72 Dolphins playing only a 14 game regular season, can’t answer to that one. Any team that can go underfeated now deserves the title of best ever. Until then, it’s impossible for any other team during the modern era to make the case.


  17. - i got a polish lodged in my throat - Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 11:37 pm:

    Can there ever truelly be any doubt about the greatest team, led by the da greatest coach of all time?

    daaaaaaaaaaa bears
    da bears
    da bears
    da bears
    da bears
    da bears
    da bears


  18. - Champ Kind - Sunday, Jan 29, 06 @ 11:36 am:

    The ‘05 White Sox team in the history of sport. Whammy!


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