Woke Goes After the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Chiefs

ATLANTA BRAVES

Braves officials in July announced they are not going to change the team's name.

However, the team said it would discuss the tomahawk symbol on the jerseys and then tomahawk chop fans do at games.

Some have called upon the team to rebrand as the Hammers, especially after the death of Hank Aaron.  ("Hammerin' Hank")

************************************

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 

The Chiefs said they won't change their name, but they banned fans from wearing headdresses and Native American inspired face paint.

That hasn't stopped Indigenous people from expressing their frustration with the name and tomahawk chops.  Protesters went to Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida, and requested the team change its name.

--Dacoot

Great Moments in Bears History-- Part 2: The "D" Shines Against Dallas 44-0 in '85

**********************************************
18.  44-0

Hey, it was just another win for those '85 Bears.  DA BEARS!!

The Bear defense put on their usual show, this time in Week 11 at Texas Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys.  It was a throttling.  The Bears improved to 11-0 and clinched the NFC Central Division.

After this game, the Bears' Gary Fencik began to truly believe that the Super Bowl was in reach.

Supposedly, Cowboys defensive back Everson Walls had questioned whether the Bears were a s good as their undefeated record because they hadn't played anybody good yet.

After the game Otis Wilson recalled that Dan Hampton said, "Yeah, we still haven't played anybody."

The game was a six sack, five takeaway, two-defensive-touchdown masterpiece.

Sports Illustrated had a story saying the game was "an assault wave that made it look as if the Bears were playing 15 men against 11" on defense.

********************************************

--Coot"D"

Bears Get 49er Payback in 1985

From the Nov. 16, 2019, Chicago Sun-Times  "The next time, they brought an offense" by Mark Potash.

Thinkin' back to that great '85 Bears team.

After an upset victory over the redskins in the 1984 playoffs the Bears found they weren't ready yet for prime time when they were buried 23-0 by the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at candlestick Park.

They were particularly offended by a 49er comment:  "Next time, bring an offense."

The next time, they did bring an offense when they faced the 49ers again at Candlestick on October 13, 1985.  They were 5-0 by then, but had something to prove.  Walter Payton rushed for  132 yards and two touchdowns as the Bears gained 372 yards against the defending Super Bowl champions in a 26-10 victory.

"We remembered to pack our offense this time," left tackle Jimbo Covert said.  "Last time they embarrassed us, and they made it known they embarrassed us.  They tried to rub it in.They said some things we didn't really appreciate."

Said Walter Payton:  "They made some remarks that hurt us as a football team.  They said 'Bring your offense next time.'  Well we brought it today."

If I remember correctly, Mike Ditka got a DUI after the plane returned to Chicago and he drove home.

Payback, You Know.  --Cooter

Ranking the 100 Best Bears-- Part 10: McMichael, Dent and Singletary

*  I've heard of him.  **  On the '85 Bears.


20..  Red Grange*

19.  Devin Hester*

18.  Steve McMichael**

17.  Stan Jones

16.  George Connor*

15.  Joe Stydahar

14.  Richard Dent**

13.  Danny Fortmann

12.  Mike Singletary**

11.  Mike Ditka**

So surprising that there would be so many of these 100 Best Bears who were on the 1985 Bears, Super Bowl XX Champions.

Sure enjoyed seeing the members of the 1985 squad out on the field before the Packer-Bear game last night.

'85 Bears.  Best Ever.  --CootBear

And the All-Time Best Bears Player? You Probably Knew All Along

Today, the Chicago Tribune arrived at its choice for all-time best Bears player.  You knew it and I knew it.  Walter Payton.  I just started really liking the Bears in 1974 so got to see the entire Payton saga.  When he had the ball, excitement was about to happen.

Opponent defensive players hated to see Payton running at them, with or without the ball, as they knew they were going to get a mighty hit.

Anyway, I will continue with the other Bears in the Top 100  as I am now up to #20.  I hope the Tribune puts this out in a magazine or book.  I'd sure buy one.  I've especially been enjoying reading about the old-timers.  That George Trafton was something else.

--DaBearDog

Ranking the 100 Best Bears Ever-- Part 9: Papa Bear

*  I've heard of them   **  On the '85 DaBears

30.  Ed Healey

29.  Lance Briggs*

28.  George Trafton*  He's the one I wrote about in the Decatur Staleys-Rock Island Independents rivalry.

27.  Joe Fortunato

26.  Olin Kreutz**

25.  George Halas**  Papa Bear

24.  Bill Hewitt

23.  Jay Hilgenberg**

22.  George McAfee*

21.  Jimbo Covert**

Ranking the 100 Best Bears Ever-- Part 8: Fencik and "Peanut"

*  Means I've heard of him  **  One of the '85 Bears, Super Bowl XX Champions.

40.  Luke Johnsos

39.  Gary Fencik **

38.  Charles Tillman*  "Peanut"  He could sure make you fumble.

37.  Ken Kavanaugh

36.  Rick Casares*

35.  Harlon Hill

34.  Paddy O'Driscoll*

33.  Ed Sprinkle

32.  George Musso*

31.  Link Lyman

--CootBear

Ranking the 100 Best Bears-- Part 7: " Double D" and Buffone

I am hoping that the Tribune will put these stories out in a magazine or book.

*  I've heard of the player   **  On the '85 Bears team.

50.  Larry Morris

49.  Dave Duerson **   The Double D.

48.  Doug Buffone*

47.  Matt Forte*

46.  Fred Williams

45.  Joe Kopcha

44.  Johnny Morris*

43.  Rosey Taylor

42.  Ray Bray

41.  Richie Pettibone*

Da Bears.  --DaCooter

Ranking the 100 Best Bears-- Part 6: Wondering Who the #1 Bear Is Going To Be?

From the August 9, 2019, Chicago Tribune.

The Tribune is now down to the Top Ten players.  

Just wondering who the #1 is going to be?

My money is on Walter Payton. Of course, on those 1985 Bears who won Super Bowl XX.

We should know by Wednesday or Thursday.

"Sweetness"   --DaCoot

Ranking the 100 Best Chicago Bears-- Part 5: Jim McMahon, Punky QB

Here's hoping the Chicago Tribune will put this out in book form.

*  means I have heard of them

60.  Willie Gallimore*

59.  Jim Osborne

58.  Mike Brown

57.  Neal Anderson*

56.  Jim McMahon** The Punky QB.  My favorite Bears quarterback.

55.  Dick Gordon*

54.  Wilber Marshall**

53.  Otis Wilson**

52.  Wally Chambers*

51.  Dick Barwegan

Have You Seen Any of Your Favorite Bears Yet?  --BearCoot

Ranking the 100 Best Chicago Bears-- Part 4: Keith Van Horne and Mike Hartenstine

* means I know who they are.

70.  George Wilson

69.  Tommie Harris*

68.  Keith Van Horne**

67.  Mike Hartenstine**

66.  Mike Pyle*

65.  Ed O'Bradovich*

64.  J.C. Caroline*

63.  Julius Pepper*

62.  Mark Bortz**

61.  Mark Carrier*

--DaBearCoot

Ranking the 100 Best-Ever Chicago Bears-- Part 2: The "Butt Head" and the Plank

* means I have heard of him.  Again, these also include recent and current Bears.  **  On the '85 Bears.

90.  Kevin Butler*  The "Butt Head"  All those field goals and a Univ. of Georgia grad as well.

89.  Beattie Feathers

88.  Alshon Jeffery*

87.  Lee Artoe

86.  Brandon Marshall*

85.  Kyle Long*

84.  Bill Wade*

83.  Zuck Carlson

82.  Doug Plank*  The 46 Defense

81.  Eddie Jackson*

Da Bears.  --DaBearsDog

Ranking the Best-Ever Chicago Bears-- Part 1: The "Refrigerator"

The Chicago Tribune has been running this series all summer long, one player a day with a half page on each with information and a picture.

I am taking this list from the August 9, 2019, edition "#28 George Trafton."

He is one of the first Bears from 1920-1921 and quite an interesting character whom I will write about in the future because of the real early NFL.

Anyway, here is the list of Bear players.  *  means I have heard of them.  These include present-day players as well.  **  On that great '85 Super Bowl XX team

100.  Patrick Mannelly

99.  William Perry** The "Refrigerator" and one of my all-time favorites.  I mean, you just had to love the "Fridge."

98.  Tom Thayer**

97.  Hugh Gallarneau

96.  Joey Sternamam

95.  Akiem Hicks*

94.  Gary Famiglietti

93.  Ed Brown

92.  Matt Suhey*

91.  Bill Karr

Da Bears.  --CootBear

A Very Interesting Man: Wayne Huizenga (1937-2018)-- Part 1: Blockbuster Video and Sports Teams

From the March 25, 2018, Chicago Tribune "Owned teams, trash haulers and video stores" by Steven Wine and Terry Spencer (AP).

"College dropout Wayne Huizenga started with a trash-hauling company, struck gold during America's brief love affair with the VHS tapes (I still use VHS tapes to record TV shows) and eventually owned three professional sports teams.

"Huizenga owned Blockbuster Entertainment, AutoNation and the world's largest trash hauler, and was founding owner of professional baseball's Florida Marlins and NHL Florida Panthers.  He bought the NFL Miami Dolphins for $138 million in 1994."

Died March 24 at age 80.

The Marlins won the World Series in 1997 and Panthers reached the Stanley Cup final in 1996, but, to his chagrin, the Dolphins never reached the Super Bowl during his ownership.

And, how he became so rich is quite a story as well.  He was what they call a self-made millionaire.

More On That In My Next Post.

Because It's the Cup!! Stanley Cup, That Is

From the Tribune by Philip Pritchard, keeper of the Cup.

Over the last 27 years the Stanley Cup has been filled with popcorn, potatoes, thrown into a swimming pool and used as the ultimate prize for street hockey.  And, of course, quite the drinking cup.

Overall, it has 120 years of nicks and smudges.

"There are 49 Super Bowl trophies out there.  There is only one Stanley Cup.  You don't win it.  You borrow it.  But your name is etched on it for all of history" according to Philip Pritchard.

That is what they're going after now in the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Seems weird not to have our Blackhawks in it.  Buy, the Stanley Cup is the people's cup.  I loved it when the Hawks would win and following day-to-day where it was.

Well, Maybe Next Year.  --CootCup

1960s: A Decade of Sports Upsets-- Part 2

NORTHERN DANCER--  Fifty years ago in May, the Canadian-bred horse defeated the heavily-favored Hill Rise at the Kentucky derby by a neck and pounded his way into racing history by finishing the race in a record two minutes.  The thoroughbred not only claimed the 1964 Derby title, but also became on eof the most successful studs in history.


JOE NAMATH--  "The Jets will win on Sunday.  I guarantee it," Jets quarterback Joe Namath famously boasted in 1969--even though the NFL's Baltimore Colts were the overwhelming favorite.  But Super Bowl III made an honest man out of Broadway Joe as he and his AFL Jets dominated the whole game--and MVP Namath exited the stadium, right index finger raised to the sky.  (Who's No.1.  Was he heading to Disney World?)


MIRACLE METS--  Being a Cubs fan, this one is a bit hard for me, but...  The New York Mets were the butt of jokes for the first seven years of their existence.  They became the Miracle Mets in 1969 by making a late run to the National league pennant, then upsetting the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.  (Boy, was that a rough season at the end for the Cubs.)

--Cooter

One Last Super Bowl Article

Finishing up the great Feb. 7th USA Today Tale of Two Football Cities.

Again, Green Bay first, Pittsburgh second.


TEAM JERSEY SALES APRIL2010 THROUGH PLAYOFFS: Eighth --///-- First

INDIVIDUAL JERSEY SALES APRIL 2010 THROUGH PLAYOFFS: Rodgers (7th overall, 4th with women) --//-- Troy Polamalu (1st overall, 1st with women)

DEFENSE POINTS ALLOWED: No. 2 in NFL (15 a game) --//-- No. 1 in NFL (14.5 a game)

DEFENSE SACKS: 47 (tied for second in NFL) --//-- 48 No. 1 in NFL

2010 PRO BOWLERS: Chad Clifton, Nick Collins, Greg Jennings, Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson --//-- James Harrison, Maurice Pouncey and Troy Polamalu

2010 USA TODAY ALL-JOES (UNSUNG HEROES): B.J. Raji (I won't forget that interception TD return he had against the Bears) --''-- Jonathan Scott, Ike Taylor, Mike Wallace

Congrats Green Bay!! --Cooter

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Packers in Super Bowls-- Part 2

From the Feb. 7th USA Today.

SUPER BOWL XXXI

1997 in New Orleans (72,301)

Score by quarters

14 00 07 00 --21 New England
10 17 08 00 --35 Green Bay

Winning coach: Mike Holmgren
MVP: Desmond Howard



SUPER BOWL XXXII

1998 at San Diego (68,912)

Score by quarters

07 07 03 07 --24 Green Bay
07 10 07 07 --31 Denver

Winning coach: Mike Shanahan
MVP: Terrell Davis


SUPER BOWL XLV

2010 at Arlington, Texas

Score by quarters

00 10 07 08 --25 Pittsburgh
14 07 00 10 --31 Green Bay

Winning Coach: Mike McCarthy
MVP: Aaron Rodgers

Sure enjoyed these three games.

Way to Go Packers!! --DaCoot

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Packers in Super Bowls-- Part 1

The Packers are now 4-1 in Super Bowls.


SUPER BOWL I

1967 in Los Angeles (61,946)

Score by quarters

00 10 00 00 --10 Kansas City
07 07 14 07 --35 Green Bay

Winning coach: Vince Lombardi
MVP: Bart Starr


SUPER BOWL II

1968 in Miami (75,546)

Score by quarters

03 13 10 07 --33 Green Bay
00 07 00 07 --14 Oakland

Winning coach: Vince Lombardi
MVP: Bart Starr

So, Packers Off to a 2-0 Record at the Beginning. --Cooter

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: Bears in Super Bowls

Bears record in Super Bowls is 1-1

SUPER BOWL XX

1986 at New Orleans Super Bowl (73, 818)

Score by quarters

13 10 21 02 46 Chicago
03 00 00 07 10 New England

Winning Coach: Mike Ditka
MVP: Richard Dent


SUPER BOWL XLI

2007 at Miami (74,512)

Score by quarters

06 10 06 07 29 Indianapolis
14 00 03 00 17 Chicago

Winning coach: Tony Dungy
MVP: Payton Manning

Hey, Gross Rexman Didn't Know It Was an Important Game. --DaCoot