Da Bears!: How the 1985 Monsters of the Midway Became the Greatest Team in NFL History
Photographs fromDa Bears!Click on the photos to enlarge.The Famous 46The Famous 46 defense was innovative, deceptive, and, above all, aggressive. There was even talk that the defense put bounties on opposing quarterbacks.Payton and McMahonEarly in the season, it was Payton, McMahon and the rest of the '85 offense that bailed out the team while the '85 defense was still finding its way.Marshall and SingletaryFast-rising Wilber Marshall (58) and already terrific Mike Singletary (50) gave the '85 Bears two of the hardest-hitting linebackers in the league.Buddy RyanCantankerous Buddy Ryan, architect of the Famous 46 defense, helped the Bears end their 22-year championship drought,and then left to coach the Eagles three days later.Mike DitkaWith tightly wound Mike Ditka roaming Chicago's sideline, the mood could switch from calm to volatile in an instant.(Photos © Bob Baer)