Video shows Coach Mike Ditka, Emery Moorehead, Willie Gault, Gary Fencik and others embarking on a United Airline charter flight headed for the White House.
The 1985 Bears were on their way to the White House to be honored by President Barack Obama about 2:00 p.m. today. Video below …
Twenty-six years after the Chicago Bears conquered 1985-86 NFL season with a 15-1 record and commanded a Super Bowl XX victory at the Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana; the Chicago Bears team will finally visit the White House. The team missed out on the traditional presidential Super Bowl celebration after the January 26, 1986 Super Bowl victory over New England because of the the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion on January 28, 1986. On the night of the disaster, President Ronald Reagan had been scheduled to give his annual State of the Union address the night of the Space Shuttle disaster. He initially announced that the State of the Union address would go on as scheduled, but then postponed the address for one week and instead gave a national address on the Challenger disaster from the Oval Office of the White House.
The 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears got their trip to the White House Friday. President Barack Obama welcomed his favorite team in the Rose Garden. The Bears original trip was cancelled after the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. (Oct. 7th/2 p.m.)
The Chicago Bears 46-10 victory celebration over the New England Patriots was squelched only two days after the disaster.
Under head coach Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, who won the 1985 NFL Coach of the Year Award, the Chicago Bears went 15-1 in the regular season, becoming the second NFL team to win 15 regular season games.
The Bears’ defense, “46 Zone”, allowed the fewest points (198), total yards (4,135), and fewest rushing of any team during the regular season (1,319). The Bears’ defense led the league with thirty-four interceptions.
The Chicago Bears ’85-’86 team full of entertainment characters. Pro Bowl renegade ‘Punky QB’ quarterback Jim McMahon provided the team with a solid passing attack, throwing for 2,392 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also rushing for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Running back “Sweetness” Walter Payton, who was then the NFL’s all time leading rusher with 14,860 yards, rushed for 1,551 yards. William “Refrigerator” Perry, who weighed over 380 pounds in training camp, got the opportunity to run the ball during Super Bowl XX. The first time “The Fridge” got the ball, he was tackled for a one-yard loss while attempting to throw his first NFL pass on a halfback option play. The second time Perry got the ball, he scored a touchdown.
The Chicago Bears Defense, known as the “JunkYard Dogs” included MLB Mike Singletary, LB Otis Wilson, DL Dan Hampton and DT Steve McMichael.
Kevin Butler — in his rookie season as kicker, led the team by scoring 144 points on 51 PATs and 31 field goals out of 38 attempts.
Richard Dent, “The Colonel” led the Bears defense with 17 sacks. He also went to the Pro Bowl and was named MVP of Super Bowl XX.
Leslie Frazier led the Chicago Bears with 6 interceptions, but Super Bowl XX was his final season, when he seriously injured his knee while returning a punt in Super Bowl XX.
Speedster Wide Receiver Willie Gault is considered one of the fast athletes of all time, and was on the U.S. Olympic team that boycotted the 1980 Olympics. In Super Bowl XX, Gault completed four receptions for 129 yards, and four kickoff returns for 49 yards.
The Hit Men included Barrington High School and Yale University graduate Gary Fencik (Safety) and Doug Plank (Safety).
President Barack Obama, a Bears fan, had to swallow his Chicago loyalty this summer when he hosted last season’s Super Bowl XLV champions, the Green Bay Packers — arch rivals of the Chicago Bears.
The majority of the 1985-1986 Chicago Bears players, as well as some of the members from the current and past Chicago Bears front office and coaching staff, are expected to attend.
Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX Starters
OFFENSE
Willie Gault, WR
Jim Covert, LT
Mark Bortz, LG
Jay Hilgenberg, C
Tom Thayer, RG
Keith Van Horne, RT
Emery Moorehead, TE
Dennis McKinnon, WR
Jim McMahon, QB
Matt Suhey, FB
Walter Payton, RB
DEFENSE
Dan Hampton, LE
Steve McMichael, LDT/NT
William Perry, RDT/RE
Richard Dent RE/LOLB
Otis Wilson LOLB/LILB
Mike Singletary MLB/RILB
Wilber Marshall, ROLB
Leslie Frazier, LCB
Mike Richardson, RCB
Dave Duerson, SS
Gary Fencik, FS