Super Bowl XX will always be the Crown Jewel of achievements for the Chicago Bears. The arrival of the 2025 football season will mark the 40th anniversary of the Bears’ incredible 18-1 season. Of course, that season was capped off with a 46-10 shellacking of the New England Patriots at the Superdome in New Orleans on January 26th, 1986.
At the time, the Bears’ dominant win at Super Bowl XX seemed, for young onlookers anyway, like a display of heroism from a group of comic book superheroes. No team or outside influence could threaten or attempt to block their destined path to glory.
Ditka and company were to hoist the Lombardi Trophy that year without question. Even by non-Bears fans, any mention or thoughts that offered otherwise was considered blasphemous.
The offense was known for its slick play and stylish demeanor. Quarterback Jim McMahon was at his all-time best, and presented as the coolest, most confident trend-setting signal caller that the decade would offer.
“Sweetness”, the late, great Walter Payton was approaching the tail end of his illustrious and decorated career. The legendary running back still managed to tally over 1500 yards for the season, and contribute significantly to the Bears Super Bowl triumph.
The “Monsters of the Midway” defense was led by Defensive Coordinator Buddy Ryan, and it was aptly named. Hall of Famer Mike Singletary and William “Refrigerator” Perry simply intimidated opposing offenses into submission.
Another example of the Bears’ defense simply obliterating any offensive scheme that was posed against them, was their 24-0 shutout of the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship. Even the great 49ers dynasty of the 1980’s took a backseat to the overpowering Bears in 1985.
Everyone was on board. Hip Hop music was in its infancy. The popularity of beats and lyrics that were mixed by Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, and The Beastie Boys were really starting to take flight.
Other teams in the NFL were getting “The Message” that they just couldn’t keep up in terms of popularity and coolness. When The “Super Bowl Shuffle” came out, featuring rap performances by Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, and the “Fridge”, it was all over.
The Bears were to win Super Bowl XX in dominant, unforgettable fashion. That they did, with seemingly everyone getting involved in the win. The Fridge himself even carried in a touchdown run on offense. Super Bowl XX was simply unforgettable.
Then nothing, well, not exactly nothing, but the superhero squad of 1985 and Super Bowl XX seemed to vanish. First, being one and done in the playoffs for three consecutive years. Sweetness retired, Ditka was ultimately fired and McMahon moved on, with only moderate success for a couple of different teams.
Perhaps the 1985 team was simply just too good? It was so great, that maybe there just wouldn’t or couldn’t be anything better. That’s what some die-hard fans might feel anyway.
That certainly was the message in parody skits like SNL’s hilarious “Da Bears!” bit, starring Chris Farley, Kevin Nealon, Mike Myers and sometimes, George Wendt. Even the Bulls’ dynasty of six NBA Championships couldn’t sway those barstool experts’ opinion of what was the greatest Chicago sports team ever.
Bears fans were filled with hope, in the mid-2000’s, when coach Lovie Smith and quarterback Rex Grossman led the team to an NFC Championship. They arrived at Super Bowl XLI as heavy underdogs against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, and they left with a result that was not unexpected.
The Bears hung in there, with a 29-17 loss. Chicago’s emblem of triumph in NFL history would still remain safely in tact, with that great Super Bowl XX winning team.
The Bears have had glimmers of hope ever since making their second Super Bowl appearance. They renovated the old Soldier Field and have had some promising draft selections. Most recently, 2024 number one pick, quarterback Caleb Williams looks to be the real deal and showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season.
The Bears will pick 10th in the upcoming 2025 draft. Fans have their fingers crossed that a dynamic and exciting player, maybe even Travis Hunter, might be available to help lead this young core of Bears players into contention. They have a long way to go before they can think about matching or surpassing the magic of the 1985 Chicago Bears.
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