Skins.com:Redskins-Bears: A Tradition-Filled Matchup

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Redskins-Bears: A Tradition-Filled Matchup

12/19/2003

By Steve Butchock

Redskins Insider

When the Redskins and Chicago Bears play this Sunday at Soldier Field, it will be a matchup of two franchises that are among the oldest and most tradition-rich in NFL history. Indeed, the Redskins are on the verge of their 500th regular-season victory—the franchise currently stands at 499-450-27. Meantime, the Bears have the most victories ever in NFL history, with a record of 640-462-42.

Years ago, the Bears were known as the “Monsters of the Midway.” Sometimes they were called the “Big Bad Bears.” And they played in historic, antiquated Soldier Field, where the turf nearly always appeared frozen for December games.

Both the Redskins and Bears have their share of great players. On the Bears’ rosters through the years could be found gritty pros like Sid Luckman, Johnny Lujack, Doug Atkins, Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, Richard Dent and Mike Singletary. The Redskins, of course, had greats like Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Sonny Jurgensen, John Riggins, Art Monk and Darrell Green.

Both teams have been well represented by coaching giants. For the Bears, on the sidelines were greats like George “Papa Bear” Halas and “Iron Mike” Ditka. The Redskins have had Ray Flaherty, Vince Lombardi, George Allen and Joe Gibbs.

And both franchises have their share of NFL championship banners. The Bears won seven NFL titles (with one Super Bowl) since 1933. The Redskins have five NFL titles (with three Super Bowls) since 1937 when the franchise relocated from Boston to Washington, D.C.

The Redskins-Bears series—favoring the Bears at 19-15-1—began in 1932 and has produced several dramatic moments, including the infamous 73-0 rout by the Bears in the 1940 championship game. (Earlier that season, the Redskins beat the Bears 7-3.) Two years later, in 1942, the Redskins stopped the Bears 14-6 at home to win the NFL title game.

The series has also produced some stunning plays. You may recall, in 2001, the fake field goal that Brian Urlacher scored on a 27-yard pass from punter/holder Brad Maynard. In 1999, Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson lumbered 88 yards for a touchdown with an interception return, crossing the goal line exhausted and puffing.

But the most exhilarating play came in the playoffs following the 1987 season at Soldier Field. The temperature read minus-21 factoring in the wind chill. It was so cold that in minutes bare skin was in danger of frostbite.

The Redskins were trailing, so head coach Joe Gibbs summoned Darrell Green for a punt return. He caught the ball near the sideline, amazingly hurdled over tacklers to stay on his feet, cut back across the field and outran the pursuit for a 52-yard touchdown—even though he suffered a pulled rib muscle midway through his wild dash to the end zone. The touchdown cracked a 14-14 tie and gave the Redskins the lead en route to a 21-17 victory.

Since the early 1990s, both franchises have not had many winning seasons. This year, the Bears have shown improvement, winning three of their last four games. Rookie first-round draft pick Rex Grossman, a protégé of Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida, will likely start at quarterback. Despite having the 32nd-ranked offense in the NFL, the Bears are playing better football and, after a 1-5 start, have become an unpredictable opponent.

When the Redskins travel to new and improved Soldier Field this Sunday, the game will be a special one for two Redskin defensive players. Renaldo Wynn and Matt Bowen both hail from the Chicago area. Wynn attended DeLaSalle High School iin the Windy City and still calls Chicago his hometown.

And there’s one other thing to keep in mind about the Redskins and Bears: They’re scheduled to meet again in 2004, also at Soldier Field.