And They Shuffled On Through!

Happy Thursday Everyone. I hope the month is treating you well and equitably.

North Texas awoke today to welcome a long lost friend-The Sun! It had been in hiding for close to 60 hours and over 5 inches of rain. This is not to say we are out of the restriction zone for grass and plants with watering but we are getting closer.

Between now and Super Bowl Sunday you will hear many a tale spun about Super Bowl matchups of days past. I recall that it was on this day in 1986 and 1997 that an NFC team did some major damage to a team from Massachusetts. The 1986 game was actually anything but memorable.

The Chicago Bears were a dominant ferocious team in 1985. 15-1 record with their lone loss on a Monday Night in Miami 38-24. What most fans will recall is the manner in which the Bears decimated the Falcons 36-0, Dallas 44-0, the Rams 24-0 and the Giants 21-0. The defense was DEADLY courtesy of a play devised on behalf of Doug Plank, the 46. Constant blitzing and constant hurries of an opponent's quarterback. Richard Dent, Otis Wilson, Gary Fencik anchored the Buddy Ryan led defense.

Walter Payton finally got some help on the line with men like Tom Thayer, Jimbo Covert, Jim McMahon at Quarterback who was so wild he head-butted his linemates after touchdowns. Matt Suhey helped to spring Sweetness loose on many an occasion. Willie Gault and Ken Margerum made magic in the slot and deep downfield.

Iron Mike Ditka was...well...Iron Mike. Seemed the whole team was feuding with one another. All that combustibility seemed to work in the Bears favor. Yes William 'Refrigerator' Perry was a cute commodity that caught fire as a rookie in certain goal line situations. The Bears would go on to win a trophy this day by a 46-10 count. 

What I remember even more than the season was the video that the team shot eight weeks before the season even ended. 'The Super Bowl Shuffle'. Ditka was none too happy about the shoot. In the end, the Bears indeed were the champions of the NFL. Too bad George Halas wasn't alive to see it happen.

You might remember early in that game Walter Payton fumbled on his very first touch of the ball. Never again did he get to rush for a touchdown or get a chance as Ditka would bench Payton in favor of the Refrigerator. Sweetness never forgave Mike Ditka for that snub either.

A long day for Steve Grogan as he was sacked and picked off repeatedly. The game was a blowout as stated earlier. NBC telecast the game. Merlin Olsen and Bob Griese had the toughest time trying to decipher how to explain the 46 defense. A moment in time 26 years ago today.

It was also about this time that commercials began to gather interest. Remember that 60 second moment where the screen went to black? A tinkle timeout if you will? The media had a field day with that...

11 years later the Patriots would have no answer for Brett favre and the Pack as they would again fall in New Orleans by a 35-21 count. Desmond Howard drove the Parcells secondary crazy. Another story for another time.

Sunny and 64 forecast for this day. Apparently spring comes early in North Texas.

Make it a great day!

A weekend of Mavericks and Legends awaits for yours truly. Make it a great one!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will