Bear Down Sunday #16

The Chicago Bears are playing a meaningless game today.  That isn't so unusual.  The unusual part is that at 11-4, they have already clinched the #2 spot in the playoff seeding.  On the other hand, the Green Bay Packers need the win.  To celebrate this unusual situation, I am featuring an unusual former player for the Green Bay Packers.
Despite being pictured in Steelers garb, Lex Luger actually was a member of the Green Bay Packers.  Larry Pfohl (as he was then known) played in the CFL before joining the Packers.  Although he spent the entire season on the Injured Reserve list, Pfohl was officially a member of the Green and Gold.
Luger went on to have an excellent career in pro wrestling, winning two major world titles and several lesser titles during his lengthy career.
Luger has gone through his share of problems, but he was extremely nice when I met him several years ago.  After talking to him for several minutes, I got a picture with him.  Unfortunately, the picture turned out poorly (pre-digital camera).  The next day, I asked him for another and he remembered me and quickly agreed to take another picture.
Win or lose today, the Bears are in the playoffs.  Hopefully, like Luger, they willwin the world championship!

 Lex Luger and me in St. Pete, FL-January 2005.

Bear Down Sunday #15

The Chicago Bears are 10-4 and have clinched the NFC North.  They are now fighting for home field advantage as they face the New York Jets who are also 10-4, but are fighting for an AFC Wildcard.  In honor of the Bears being NFC North champs, I am presenting Kevin Butler, the last active member of the 1985 Bears, our last championship team. 
Butthead was a rookie on that championship team.  He was an outstanding kicker for the Bears for eleven seasons, before kicking for the Arizona Cardinals for his last two seasons.  He was also one of the most popular Bears of that era.
I met Butthead a few times and he was always very friendly.  One time I saw him was in Plattville at training camp.  By then he was a grizzled veteran.  He talked to us briefly as he headed for his vehicle.
Hopefully, Robbie Gould will join Butler as a kicker on a Super Bowl champ.  Gould kicked for the Bears in the 2006 Super Bowl season, but that ended in a loss.  Gould and the Bears need to bring home the trophy (just like Butler did).

Kevin Butler in Platteville, WI-August 1994.

Bear Down Sunday #14

The Bears got thumped last week and now stand at 10-3.  Tomorrow, they are playing their divisional rival, the Minnesota Vikings, who are 5-8, playing in an outdoor stadium and dealing with the continuing Brett Favre saga.
Everything is harder in the frigid air, especially punting.  Chicago has been lucky with punters for most of my life.  The Bears had Bob Parsons for most of my youth and have had Brad Maynard for the last several years.  Starting in the mid-80's, the Bears had Maury Buford.
Buford was a small guy.  He's listed at 6'-1" and 191 pounds.  That is certainly a far cry from a certain large armed punter the Bears had in the 90's.
Buford was a very funny guy, too.  I had a great time when I met him at a charity bowling event.  He joked about a lot of his ex-teammates in Chicago and he talked about the challenge of punting here.  Actually, he averaged only two yards less in Chicago, then he had in San Diego.
I will be watching Brad Maynard as he battles the weather in Minnesota.  Hopefully, he will have a great game and help the Bears defense.
The picture isn't the best, but I do like how it looked in a negative form.  I think it's better that way.

Maury Buford and me in Arlington Heights, IL-Mid 1990's.

Bear Down Sunday #13

Nobody really could have predicted that today's matchup would pit two of the NFL's best teams against each other.  The Chicago Bears (9-3) host the New England Patriots (10-2).   This begins a rough four game stretch, as the Bears play for the playoffs.

Last week, against Detroit, the defense was a bit off and the offense clicked.  This week, we will need both, but especially the defense.  Few players epitomized rough defense better than Steve "Mongo" Michael.  Adding a little flair to McMichael's resume for this piece is that he started out with the Patriots, before he starred for the Bears.

When I met Mongo at AU Sports, many people asked him about wrestling.  Maybe they had heard all of the football stories before.  Mongo said that Haku (King Tonga) was probably the toughest man he met in wrestling.  He also said Randy Savage was one of the craziest and Ric Flair really was the same guy on and off camera.  Mongo said without a doubt (and with no disrespect to wrestling) that he (as a football player) would have manhandled basically all of the wrestlers in a legit fight.

We also talked about his new venture as coach of the Chicago Slaughter.  The Slaughter had recently signed Jarrett Payton.  Mongo was happy to have the son of his former teammate, knowing that he would also bring fans.

Mongo is always fun to meet.  He is pretty much what you'd expect.  He was a bit bigger than I'd expected.  While he isn't in playing shape, I still wouldn't like to mess with him.

 Steve McMichael and me in Niles, IL-January 2010.

Bear Down Sunday #12

The Chicago Bears at 8-3 have the second best record in the NFC.  That is amazing.  Today, they face the Detroit Lions, who are 2-9.  The Bears lool like a good bet for the playoffs.  Dare I start dreaming about a Super Bowl?
The Lions have never made it to the Super Bowl.  However, an ex-Lion was involved in one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history.
Diminutive kicker Garo Yepremian started his NFL career in Detroit.  In 1970, he made the roster of the Miami Dolphins and wound up becoming quite a star.  Her was the MVP of the 1974 Pro Bowl and he was named to the All-Decade team for the 1970's.  After nine seasons in Miami, Yepremian finished his career with a year with the Saints and two years with the Buccaneers.
Yepremian's most memorable moment occurred in Super Bowl VII.  The prefect Miami Dolhins were leading the Washington Redskins 14-0, when Yepremian was sent in to try a field goal.  The attempt was blocked, but Yepremian recovered it and attempted to pass the ball.  He bobbled it around and into the arms of Mike Bass of the Redskins, who returned it for a touchdown.  The Dolphins held on for a 14-7 win though.
When I met Yepremian, he somehow seemed taller than I expected.  We talked  bit about his unusual route to the NFL.  I asked him about his Hall of Fame chances and he just kind of shrugged.  Kickers get a raw deal in the NFL HOF.
It was a pleasure meeting Yepremian.  You really should check out his story.  It is an amusing and fascinating tale of his rise to the top of the kicking ladder.  Yepremian may be short in stature, but his legacy is very large, as is his personality.

Garo Yepremian and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Bear Down Sunday #11

The Chicago Bears are an unexpected 7-3 and are facing the Philadelphia Eagles who are also 7-3 and unexpectedly have Michael Vick starring for them.  The Bears will need some unexpected offensive punch today.
Back in the day, Mike Quick supplied offensive punch for the Eagles and it was expected.  Quick had a solid 9 year career in which he went to five Pro Bowls.  For a five year run, Quick was consistently excellent.  It must have been hard being the main guy after future Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael left, but Quick was up to the challenge.
Quick retired early due to severe patella tendinitis.  Quick was on pace to pass Carmichael in the Eagles record book.  Perhaps he was even on his way to the Hall.  You never can tell.
Quick does some commentary for the Eagles.  I met him at a convention last year and was happy to see he had just as many fans lining up to meet him as Carmichael.  It would have been cool to get these two greats together, but that would have created a logistical and time problem.

Mike Quick and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Bear Down Sunday #9

The Chicago Bears (at 5-3) face the Minnesota Vikings (at 3-5).  Both teams need the win.  This should be a great game.
I would feel a bit better if the Bears had a better offensive line and a true #1 receiver.  I like the receivers the Bears have, but none as a #1 yet.  In honor of the wide receiver, I am highlighting Marcus Robinson, who spent five seasons with the Bears, before playing in Baltimore for one season and ending his career with three nice seasons in Minnesota.
I met Robinson at Mike North's Bowl-A-Thon.  Robinson might have had his game face onm, because he barely spoke to me.  I wasn't even asking for an autograph, just the quick picture below.  Actually, not many people approached him.  Maybe a lot of people didn't recognize him or maybe they were too busy chasing some of the other stars (like Gale Sayers and Mike Ditka).
Robinson wasn't rude, but he was very quiet.  He really just didn't seem comfortable there.
Hopefully, the Bears will utilize their wide receivers today, while shutting down Minnesota's (which pretty much means shutting down Brett Favre).

Marcus Robinson and me in Arlington Heights, IL-Late 1990's.

Bear Down Sunday #8

The Chicago Bears are 4-3 and face the 0-7 Buffalo Bills.  The Bears have looked bad in their last few games.  The Bills have been looking better in their last couple games.
Today's game in Toronto, could come down to a field goal.  Therefore, I am feauring Tom Dempsey, formerly of the Bills and still co-holder of the record for the longest field goal ever at 63 yards.  Dempsey played for 5 other teams before finishing his career with two seaons in Buffalo.  It was in 1970, when Dempsey was with the New Orleans Saints, that he kicked the record-setting field goal. 
Dempsey's accomplishment is even more impressive considering he was born with a damaged arm and no toes on his kicking foot.  Neither prevented him from having a fine NFL career.  According to former Chicago Bears great Doug Buffone, Dempsey was also one of the toughest players.
I asked Dempsey about his kick and about Buffone's comment.  Dempsey downplayed both.  He felt his style as a straight on style of kicking was his secret to success.  He also felt he was just a regular player, but just the same, that meant he had to be tough, too.  Dempsey was very friendly and polite.  It was a real pleasure meeting him.

Tom Dempsey and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Bear Down Sunday #7

The Chicago Bears stand at 4-2 after losing to the Seattle Seattle Seahawks last Sunday.  Today, they are facing the Washington Redskins who are 3-3.  The Bears are doing better than expected, but face a tough battle today and will need their defense to play at their best.

Speaking of defense at its best, I present Mike Curtis, a 4 time Pro-Bowler.  He was also the 1970 AFC Defensive Player of the Year.

Curtis had an outstanding career, playing 11 seasons with the Baltimore Colts, a season with the Seahawks and his final 2 seasons with the Redskins.  I find it amusing that he went from the young, first year Seahawks to the "over the hill gang" Redskins.

Curtis had the reputation as being one of the meanest players.  He was completely friendly when I met him, however.  Curtis had a big smile and was happy to discuss football with me.

Everyone knows the conversation always starts with Ray Nitschke and Dick Butkus, but I wanted to see who else he thought was in that team picture.  Curtis mentioned Chris Hanburger, Ted Hendricks and Bill Bergey as being talented and productive, although none really matched the ferocity.  I respected his thoughts as they seemed genuine, not like a bitter old player.  Curtis doesn't need bitterness.  His reputation and place in football history is secure.

Hopefully, the Bears defense will produce like Curtis (and Butkus) did.  A great defense has always helped carry a questionable Bears offense.

Mike Curtis and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Bear Down Sunday #5

The Chicago Bears are 3-1 after losing to the New York Giants last week.  Of more concern is the condition of Jay Cutler.  Without Cutler, the Bears will be in trouble, even against the Carolina Panthers, who are 0-4.
If Cutler is hurt, Brad Maynard will be seeing a lot of time on teh field.  Maynard has been an outstanding punter for several years, but if your punter is your MVP, you are in trouble.
Throwing out a little punter symmetry, I am featuring former punter Todd Sauerbrun.  Sauerbrun was a 3 time Pro-Bowler during his 14 year NFL career, which included stops in Chicago and Carolina.
When I met Sauerbrun, I was surprised at how big his arms were.  He was a workout nut.  He was also a friendly guy.  I don't remember why the Bears let him go, but it was just another f their many mistakes in the 90's.  Sure the punter wouldn't make the team great, but he could help.  A year later, the Bears realized this and signed Brad Maynard, who has been a stable force in Chicago since then.  I just hope that Maynard's role isn't expanded.

Todd Sauerbrun and me in Arlington Heights, IL-Mid 1990's.

Bear Down Sunday #2

The Bears stand at 1-0 after (barely) beating the Detroit Lions. Today, the Bears face the Dallas Cowboys, who are 0-1. Today will also be the season debut of the Cowboys offensive lineman Marc Colombo.
The Bears drafted offensive tackle Marc Colombo in the first round of the 2002 draft. After a series of injuries, the Bears gave up on Colombo during the 2005 season. Near the end of the 2005 season, Colombo signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Despite a few more injuries, Colombo has established himself as a solid member of their offensive line.
With Jay Cutler seemingly always under pressure, Colombo might look good wearing the orange and blue again, protecting Cutler a bit. He might also help the running game.
I met Colombo during his tenure with the Bears. He was talkative and friendly to the fans present. For a young player, he seemed very well spoken and composed. By the picture, you can also see, he is one big man.
Hopefully Colombo will not be much of a factor in the game today. The Bears need to get to Romo to have a real chance at winning.

Marc Colombo and me in Skokie, IL-Early 2000's.

Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

With the start of the football season yesterday, there is no better Friendly Encounter I could run than this one featuring Jim Gekas and Mike Singletary. Jim is one of the most diehard Chicago Bears fans I know. Singletary is the coach of the San Francisco 49'ers and a Hall of Famer because of his years with the Bears.
Mike is predicting a great year for his 49'ers. Jim is predicting good things from his Bears. Unfortunately, I think both will be wrong.
This post isn't about the negatives though. It is about positives. Nothing is more positive than Jim's song Mr. Robinson, about Jackie Robinson, baseball and life. If you haven't listened before, give it a listen now. The previous predictions might disappoint them and us, but this song won't. You'll love it.

Mike Singletary and Jim Gekas in Itasca, IL-Late 1990's.

Bear Down Sunday #1

It's Bears season again! Oh how I love Bears season. I don't like the impending cold weather, but that is still several weeks away. By then, the Bears will be having such a good season, the weather won't matter as much.
The Chicago Bears open their season by hosting the Detroit Lions. The Lions have come a long way from their woeful stretch of recent years. Still, the Bears should prevail in their opener.
In honor of the Lions, I am featuring Hall of Famer Charlie Sanders. During his ten year career, all with the Lions, Sanders was a 7 time Pro Bowler as a tight end. For most of those seasons, his quarterback was either Greg Landry or Bill Munson. While both QB's were solid, neither was a passing machine. This makes those 7 Pro Bowl appearances by Sanders even more impressive.
When I met Sanders, we talked about the great battles between the Bears and Lions during his career. Despite neither team being very good, their games were hard fought matches. They were part of the old 'black and blue' division. Sanders said it was a pleasure to play and I said it was really a pleasure to watch him. I honestly don't think the Bears have had a tight end anywhere near as good as Sanders during my 40 years of watching them (Mike Ditka had already left when I started watching).
Fortunately Sanders isn't there today to help Matthew Stafford, the Lions young star QB. Maybe Greg Olson will step up for the Bears.

Charlie Sanders and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Bear Down Sunday #16

The Chicago Bears are finishing a disappointing season today with a game against the Detroit Lions, who at 2-13 are improved over last season's 0-16 mark. The Bears took a step backwards from last season and now stand at 6-9. Both teams have exciting young quarterbacks. Today I am featuring a former Lions quarterback, who made his name as a great backup.
In 21 seasons in the NFL, Morrall started every game in a regular season just twice, earning him the title of the greatest backup quarterback ever. Despite that title, Morrall had plenty of moments to shine. He was a two time Pro Bowl selection, three time Super Bowl champion, the 1972 Comeback Player of the Year and the 1968 MVP. When Morrall retired after the 1976 season, he was the oldest QB ever to start and win an NFL game. Doug Flutie and Vinny Testaverde have since eclipsed Morrall's record.
When I met Morrall at the Ultimate Collectibles Show he was as polite and gracious as any star I have ever met. I mentioned his card was in the first pack of football cards I ever bought. He was surprised that I remembered. Later, I walked past Morrall in the lobby area and he went out of his way to greet me again and thanked me for stopping by to see him. What a class act.

Earl Morrall and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Bear Down Sunday #15

The Chicago Bears host the Minnesota Vikings today. Both teams lost last week, but Vikings (11-3) will be in the playoffs, while the Bears (5-9) are in disarray. When the Bears won Super Bowl XX, their defense was a major reason and Buddy Ryan was the man in charge of it.
Before Ryan put together the famed 46 defense (named after Doug Plank) for the Bears, he spent two years with the Vikings as their Defensive Coordinator. Ryan had a big hand in the dominating "Purple People Eaters" defense of Minnesota. He was a defensive genius.
Ryan wasn't as successful in stints as a head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals. He retired from football after the Cardinals fired him. He now breeds horses on his farm in Kentucky.
Ryan wasn't very talkative when I met him at the Ultimate Collectibles Show. He did perk up a bit when I mentioned I was from Chicago and thanked him for his part in the Super Bowl. Either way, I am glad I met Ryan. The man deserves my respect after being so critical in the success for the best Bears team I have ever watched.

Buddy Ryan and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Bear Down Sunday #14

The Chicago Bears are now 5-8 after losing to the Packers last week. This week, the Bears face the Baltimore Ravens who are 7-6 and still alive in the playoff hunt. The Ravens are always known for their fierce defense. Today I am featuring Tom Zbikowski one of their defensive backs.
I had followed Zbikowski's career for a while. He is a local Chicago area guy who had a lot of success at the University of Notre Dame. He is in his third season with the Baltimore Ravens and made his first start just 2 weeks ago.
Matt and I met Zbikowski at Triple Threat Sports last year. Zbikowski was pretty quiet, amost seeming uncomfortable doing the appearance. Still it was fun meeting him. Usually I meet athletes years after their career have ended. It's rather unusual to meet one this early in his career.
Maybe the Bears will do something unusual this week and play good on both sides of the ball and actually win a game. I am not counting on that however.

Tom Zbikowski, Matt Parker and me in Mokena, IL-Fall 2008.

Bear Down Sunday #13

The Chicago Bears are 5-7 after barely beating the woeful Rams last week. Today the Bears face the Green Bay Packers who are 8-4. This should have been a great matchup of 2 teams with great young quarterbacks on the rise. Unfortunately, Aaron Rodgers is rising faster than Jay Cutler. Therefore today I will concentrate on the defense.
Steve McMichael ended his career with the Packers, but who will always belong to the Bears. McMichael was drafted by the New England Patriots, but joined the Chicago Bears after one season. Mongo played 13 stellar seasons in Chicago, before finishing his career north of the border. Mongo likes to say he tries to forget that season. I have never officially met McMichael. That seems odd. He has done a fair amount of appearances, but I somehow have missed him. It seems everyone else has seen him, but me. Even my old friend Tom Skalski met Mongo, although he failed to photographically capture the moment, thus missing an opportunity to appear on Johngy's Beat.
The Bears defense also misses McMichael or a Mongo-type player. Just writing this post makes me long for the days of big #76 on the defense!

Steve McMichael in Indiana-early 00's.

Bear Down Sunday #12

Today, the woeful Chicago Bears are facing the maybe more woeful St. Louis Rams. The Bears should win this one, but it might come down to a field goal. Therefore, my featured player is a former kicker for the Rams, but from their Los Angeles years.
Tom Dempsey was a kicker for 11 seasons in the NFL, including 2 with the Rams. In 1970, Dempsey set the record for the longest field goal at 63 yards. That record has since been tied by Jason Elam. The bigger story was really that Dempsey was born without toes on his kicking foot. He wore a modified flat-front shoe. This later caused the NFL to implement the "Tom Dempsey Rule", which states that regardless of the foot itself, any shoe must have a kicking surface conforming to that of a normal shoe. I suppose that is a good idea, considering all of the technology available. Still, it should not diminish Dempsey's accomplishment.
I had heard that Dempsey could be a bit surly. Nonetheless, I approached him eagerly at the Ultimate Collectibles Show. Dempsey was anything but surly. He was downright jolly. We talked about kicking and his physical challenges. (He also has a shortened arm.) I told him how I heard that he was one of the toughest players during his day. He laughed it off and said it was an overstatement. I said I believe it was Chicago's Doug Buffone who said it and he laughed some more. Somehow, despite his physical limitations, I believe Buffone. There was something about Dempsey. I mean this with all respect towards Dempsey. He seems like he was one tough guy back in the day.

Tom Dempsey and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Bear Down Sunday #11

The Chicago Bears (4-6) face the Minnesota Vikings (9-1) today. Today's game will bring a new twist to the rivalry. That twist is #4, Brett Favre, facing us in the purple and gold for the first time. Today though, I am featuring a former member of the Vikings, who played a less glamorous position and mostly for another team, but was a native Minnesotan. However, he did all of this in Hall of Fame fashion.
Jim Langer played 10 years with the Miami Dolphins and 2 for the Vikings. He was a 4 time All-Pro and 3 time Super Bowl champion. Meeting players like Langer is always cool. Langer really appreciated everyone who approached him. He gladly posed for pictures throughout the whole show (Ultimate Collectibles Show).
I talked to Langer about the offensive line (okay, I tried showing off by naming the entire Dolphins line from that era, including a few reserves). He seemed genuinely impressed by my trivial knowledge, but really just happy to be talking to good, respectful fans. He even seemed somewhat surprised by the attention he got.
By the way, that is long-time QB in the background in the right background. I'll have more on Morrall in the near future.

Jim Langer and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Bear Down Sunday #10

The Chicago Bears are 4-5 and hosting the Philadelphia Eagles who are 5-4. Philly's quarterback is Chicago's own Donovan McNabb, but today I am highlighting Harold Carmichael, their greatest wide receiver.
Carmichael played 13 years with the Eagles before ending his career with 2 games for the Dallas Cowboys. The 4 time Pro Bowler stood 6'8" and provided a nice target for his various QB's.
When I met Carmichael at the Ultimate Collectibles Show, I was really hoping to get a picture with him standing. Being that the show was in Oaks (about 20 minutes out of Philly), Carmichael was one of the most popular stars. There was no time for him to keep getting up for pictures, although he gladly posed if you bent down next to him.
I really didn't get to talk to him because of the crowd, but I can tell you that he made sure everyone got an autograph. He worked hard, but thoughtfully as he made his way through the long line ready to meet him.

Harold Carmichael and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.