The Shuffling Crew

They were fun. They were entertaining. They were the best football in 1985 and , possibly, in the history of the sport. We followed their every move. Colorful personalities that captured the fancy of the nation and the world. I give you, ladies and gentlemen, the Shuffling crew known as the 1985 Chicago Bears!.... I have always patiently listened to the talk of my seniors when they recall the great teams of their youth. Personal, joyous memories should always be celebrated. That is the heart of any sport and in entertainment generally. Relief from life's problems is the core of why we watch. It means something to pass along to the younger crowd on how great it was to see their team. I listened and learned and didn't fully appreciate the glory these teams give their fans until the 85 team came along. For those old enough to remember, it is a golden memory. For those too young or weren't yet born, the genesis of your Sunday love really started in that year... Please listen patiently, my young crowd. The pure fun that was unleashed on the public from these rascals is not something that can be replayed, but, I will try. Start at the top... The fire breathing, all intense coach named Mike Ditka. One hell of a player back in the 60's, a darn good assistant coach with Dallas in the 70's, and, then, a walking force of nature as a  head coach with the Bears in the 80"s. Looking at Ditka frightened the most aggressive of players. When he talked--- all street language and football logic-- you listened. Through sheer force, this giant parlayed a brand name of football to a bunch of rag ass kids you didn't want to fuck with. He had been to war as a player. As a coach, he became General Patton to his troops. The feeling he gave out? '' Make the play, protect your teammates, and, always be number 1.'' ... He talked, they played... At quarterback was an arrogant, talented, rabble rouser ''' punky QB known as McMahon.'' What a beauty he was to watch! A complete, anti-establishment , 'I don"t give a fuck player'. Jim McMahon showed up, after being drafted in 1982, with a beer can in his hand, tobacco in his mouth, and, an attitude to win. While injury prone, McMahon inspired victory and loyalty from his teammates. It is called chemistry. These fellow players would have jumped in front of a runaway bus for him. Interesting enough, many in the media wanted to push McMahon in front of that same bus. He didn't play the media game. It wasn't in his nature. And, when you don't play the media game, then you are '' trouble'' and a '' petulant child''. No one ever denied that McMahon could be like that, but, no one except the media seemed to mind. That devil may care way of his nature brought a new type of feeling to the locker room, and, that translated to the field. McMahon and Ditka had legendary confrontations. A headstrong father and rebellious son. The reason they fought so intensely is that they were essentially the same person separated by decades. In another time, they would have hit the town together as great pals. But, in 1985, one was the boss and one was the student. Which suited the team fine because McMahon became the buffer for the team when dealing with the management... All sweetness and great skill, at running back was the legendary Walter Payton. Check the records on Walter. He sure holds a lot of them, the most impressive being between the years of 1975 and 1987 he missed only one game. In football-- in any sport-- that I think is the most impressive thing about Payton. A complete football player: he ran,  he blocked, threw a football, and was the consummate teammate for a cast of characters. Walter always said that if they cast another version of the movie '' One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest'' they should just go to the Bears locker room... Walter only made it to one Super Bowl, that 1985 year. He didn't score a touchdown in that game, like he should have. Ditka gave that to the ''Fridge.''...  William Perry was big, fat, and proud of it. He was a defensive lineman from Clemson. The Fridge didn't have a lot of natural ability, but, he did have bulk. While it took two offensive lineman to block him, another player on defensive would sneak through and clobber whomever had the ball. Perry became a star on a Monday Night game against the Packers. He was put on offensive by Ditka as a gimmick. In goal line situations... Well, when given the ball, he would go head on with the poor, unfortunate opposing player, and knock him into Lake Michigan. On that manic Monday night, he became an overnight media sensation. Everywhere in the country people were talking about the Bears.He was the poster child for people who didn't care about their appearance. Plus, he had a gap toothed smile that melted the cynicism of the non fan.... There were other characters on that glory team: Hampton, Dent, Wilson, Gault, McMichael [ who loved to hunt rattlesnakes in the off season for fun], Wilson, Singletary, etc... They were on the news and in commercials. They did personal appearances with their adoring public. And, they did '' The Super Bowl Shuffle.''..... This video and song was for charity. It was done during the regular season. That was risky. While the song celebrated their greatness, it also could have caused internal ego problems. It doesn't appear to have happened. The song and video took off stronger then anyone would have thought possible. It actually charted in the Top Forty.... They went 15-1. The two playoff games were shutouts. The Super Bowl was a blowout. And, then it was over.... The following seasons showed the price of fame. Injuries, salary disputes, and, most importantly, ego clashes reared its ugly head. The fun and joy seeped out of this team. Friends became enemies. Success had breeded contempt. No longer were they Shuffling... No team in my lifetime has captured the public's fancy like that team did. The combination of incredible talent and raw charisma was intoxicating. My Grandmother, of all people, loved them. You planned your whole week around the game. They brought to surface the heart of being a fan.... I feel sorry for those too young to experience the magic... All I can say to describe them is ''They didn't come here looking for trouble...''