On the TunneySide of Sports September 2, 2019, #759 “THE” Rivalry
After further review… The 100th National Football League season begins on September 5th, 2019 with the Green Bay Packers visiting the Chicago Bears in Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois. I wish I could be there. No, I wish I could be on that field as the referee. Stay tuned.
The first meeting of these two was November 27, 1921, However, the Bears were then the “Staleys” located in Decatur, IL. formed by A.E. Staley, a food starch company, and were coached by player-coach George Halas. They were called the Chicago Staleys. Their rivals were the Green Bay Packers (same city as today) and coached by player-coach Curly Lambeau. The Chicago Staleys became the Chicago Bears in 1922. Aren’t you glad you asked?
That Packers-Bears rivalry was going strong when yours truly came on the scene in 1960, my first NFL year. I worked many Packers games in Lambeau Field as well as Bears games both in Wrigley Field and Soldier Field in the 1960s. However, the December 15, 1968 Packers-Bears game played at Wrigley Field will stand-out in my history. It was their 100th game.
There are many plays in games that I remember, but the one that stands out in that 100th game is a hand-off from Bears quarterback Rudy Bukich to running back Gail Sayers. Sayers started around right end when a Packers linebacker closed that route. Sayers planted his right foot and, in a nano-second made a dramatic 90 degree left turn only to face another Packers linebacker in that hole. Sayers, ala Carl Lewis, hurdled over that Packer. I marveled at Sayers athleticism, but suddenly realized I should be watching QB Bukich. No time to be a spectator.
Wrigley Field had other memorable games for me. In my first few NFL years I was a field judge positioned some 20-25 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage, except in Wrigley Field. When the offensive team had the ball inside the opponents 10-yard line, I had to position myself on the end line which was three feet from the Ivy-covered left field wall. Any official’s call against the Bears produced objects thrown e.g., snowballs, etc. or beer poured on me or any official positioned on that end line.
It goes without saying, but I will anyway, that the December 31, 1988 game between the Philadelphia Eagles and “Da Bears” will rival any game in Chicago for me. It is known as “The Fog Bowl.” We best discuss that game in detail another time.
Will you comment on any Bears game in Wrigley Field that you may have seen?
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BOOK SIGNING “Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” is available at River House Books at 208 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel. Dr. Tunney will be there on Sunday, September 8th from 2-4 PM to meet and greet and book signing.
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Jim’s thirteenth book and the third in a series ‘Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ was published July 1st. To order a personally autographed copy with free shipping, please send a check for $20 to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953 or use PayPal.
This offer is available to the continental United States only.
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To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more. Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!
