Bearing it All: 85 Bears shuffle back into town for 25th Anniversary

My introduction to the '85 Bears may have been via McDonald's happy meal trading cards, which my mom posted all over our kitchen. Regardless of why I started taking interest in this team and their Super Bowl shuffle, it's a an affection I've carried through to my adulthood.

I remember that year, the games, the legends. I remember marveling at this chiseled and tough guy Walter Payton and being intrigued by the irreverant stories about the quarterback Jim McMahon and loved that he always wore sunglasses. I didn't understand much of the game itself then, but I knew that team was a big deal for some reason.

Sundays were big days of food and celebration at my house that year. I'd pour over all the Bears trading cards that I'd collected trying to memorize names and positions and numbers. My dad and my brother got me to throw a few spirals that fall and at my grade school we'd play co-ed flag football. All I truly comprehended then was that those men wearing orange and blue were relentless, hit opponents like bricks, and had a hell of a lot of fun in the process. Bears fever was infectious in 1985, even to a little girl
in grade school.

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Super Bowl-winning team at Glory Days Chicago, Friday November 5, 2010. Appearances will include Coach Mike Ditka, Willie Gault, Jim McMahon, Dan Hampton and Steve McMichael. Arie Crown Theater, McCormick Place, 2301 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616. Legends Pomenade at 6:45pm, Show at 7:30pm. For tickets and information go to www.glorydayschicago.com.