Growing up in Northwest Indiana, 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, I became a Bears fan early in life. The Bears had some arch rivals, namely the Green Bay Packers, and the Detroit Lions.

Besides the 1985 bears who dominated football that year, and won the super bowl, they have basically, well, SUCKED!

Now we come to Bret Farve. The old man of the game. He was a long time Green Bay Packer, but the Packers decided they no longer needed his aging services. Boy, that must have motivated him, because he has been on fire this year.



I tuned in to the Bears Vikings game, expecting Bret to blow the bears out of the water. But the Bears, targets of criticism, and doubt, played like a team on a mission. They went on to win in overtime 36 - 30. All in all a great game by both teams.

Speaking of the 1985 Bears, I found some interesting figures for that team,,,,

1985 Salaries

In this day of NFL players holding out and not accepting $18 million in guaranteed money, here is a refreshing look back at the salaries of the 1985 Bears starters. This was published in the January 10, 1986 Chicago Sun Times.

According to the paper, signing bonuses and incentives are not included in these figures.

Offense
Jim McMahon, Quarterback, $600,000
Walter Payton, Running Back, $685,000
Matt Suhey, Running Back, $260,000
Willie Gault, Wide Receiver, $241,000
Dennis McKinnon, Wide Receiver, $100,000
Jim Covert, Left Tackle, $190,000
Mark Bortz, Left Guard, $90,000
Jay Hilgenberg, Center, $110,000
Tom Thayer, Right Guard, $160,000
Keith Van Horne, Right Tackle, $225,000
Emery Moorehead, Tight End, $200,000

Defense
Dan Hampton, Defensive End, $325,000
Steve McMichael, Defensive Tackle, $225,000
William Perry, Defensive Tackle, $138,250
Richard Dent, Defensive End, $90,000
Otis Wilson, Linebacker, $150,000
Mike Singletary, Linebacker, $200,000
Wilber Marshall, Linebacker, 250,000
Mike Richardson, Cornerback, $175,000
Leslie Frazier, Cornerback, $130,000
Dave Duerson, Strong Safety, $125,000
Gary Fencik, Free Safety, $275,000