WASHINGTON—The 1985 Chicago Bears finally got their second chance at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Friday when President Obama welcomed the Super Bowl-winning team to the White House.
The ceremony honored Obama’s favorite team and marked the 25th anniversary of the Bears’ Super Bowl victory. ProPlayerInsiders.com was on hand to cover the event.
In 1986, the team’s White House reception was canceled due to the tragedy involving the space shuttle Challenger. Obama’s remarks to the Bears focused on the dominant season the team had and how it was able to sweep the nation’s interest that year.
Photo by Khalil Garriott
“This is as much fun as I will have as President of the United States of America,” Obama, an unabashed Bears fan, opened. “This is one of the perks. Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest team in NFL history: The 1985 Chicago Bears!”
Chicago won Super Bowl XX, 46-10, over the New England Patriots at the Louisiana Superdome. For the Bears in attendance, a trip to the White House to be honored for their Super Bowl win came better late than never.
“I felt like the circle was finally completed,” said Otis Wilson, a linebacker on the team known as arguably the greatest defense in the annals of the NFL. “The fans of Chicago remind us of it every day.
“It’s an honor to be a Bear—a Bear for life.”
The Super Bowl-winning squad featured nine Pro Bowlers and five future Hall of Famers, including head coach Mike Ditka. Quarterback Jim McMahon, sporting his trademark headband and sunglasses, sat directly behind the president. Obama called the recognition well deserved and long overdue.
“This team ruled the city,” he said emphatically. “They were everywhere. They were like The Beatles. Thank you for helping to bring our city together.”
Players said they wished their late teammates, Walter Payton and Dave Duerson, were there with the team. The memorable trip to the nation’s capital would have been even more special if Payton and Duerson were part of it, they told ProPlayerInsiders.com.
“We are so grateful that his wife, Connie, is here with us today,” Obama said in his remarks about “Sweetness.”
Former Bears chairman Michael McCaskey echoed those sentiments, saying: “Walter’s certainly in our hearts. He was an exceptional football player, but more than that, an exceptional human being.”
Duerson started at strong safety in Super Bowl XX.
“Hopefully, lessons from his brave struggle will help players down the road,” Obama said of Duerson.
Chicago’s hard-hitting defense that season featured Duerson, Wilson, Mike Singletary, Wilbur Marshall, Super Bowl MVP Richard Dent, Dan Hampton and then-rookie William “The Refrigerator” Perry.
The team entered the ceremony to a standing ovation as a band played the Bears fight song. Obama came out of his residence flanked by Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, architect of the “46” defense. An audible “Go Bears!” by one guest greeted the contingent of players and coaches.
“Coach Ryan’s ‘46’ defense changed football forever,” Obama told the crowd.
Ditka presented Obama with a personalized No. 85 Bears jersey as the ceremony wrapped, then the president joined the team for a group picture with the Lombardi Trophy. Obama took photos, shook hands of family members and friends of the team and exchanged pleasantries with guests before continuing his workday inside the White House.
McCaskey said the president was “very personable” and “had a lot of fun.”
Dent and Wilson both used to work out with Obama in Chicago gyms. Each wore his Super Bowl ring and proudly showed it off to photographers after the ceremony. Dent also wore his Hall of Fame ring on his other hand, but stressed that Friday’s occasion was about celebrating a team achievement, not a personal one.
“This is a very special moment for me and for my teammates,” Dent said. “We appreciate the love because we appreciate the fans.”
A beautiful Washington afternoon made for a picturesque setting at the White House’s Rose Garden, where a handful of Payton jerseys, hats and Bears-colored ties were seen in the crowd. A four-piece Marine Corps band played nearby the private fete, which attracted a large press contingent. Family members, friends and Chicago natives, including Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, comprised the crowd.
