1979 Chicago Bears-Tragedy and Triumph
Pro! Gameday program from the December 16, 1979 game between the Bears and St. Louis Cardinals, showing its age.
That’s Incredible was the second-rated television show in 1979, according to www.super70s.com. The 1979 Chicago Bears would have fit in perfectly as subject matter for this show. Every time it looked like they were out, they came back in. Every time they lost a player, another stepped up. They lost their team president to an untimely death, and on the very same day responded with a rousing victory against all odds. Only their own mistakes in the NFC Wild Card game that year ended this amazing campaign.
Several personnel moves conducted over the previous three seasons put the Bears in a position to make a run in 1979. In 1977, Chicago traded its 1978 first-round pick to Cleveland for veteran QB Mike Phipps. Phipps was a first-round draft pick himself, taken by the Browns as the third selection overall in 1970. Phipps took over in 1978 for Bob Avellini, who had started 42 consecutive games through November of that year. Phipps started four of the final six games of 1978, winning three, and entered 1979 as the starter.
Chicago also traded away all-pro DE Wally Chambers to Tampa in 1978 for the Bucs' 1979 first-round selection. That pick turned out to be the fourth overall, and with it the Bears selected Arkansas DT/DE Dan Hampton. Other notable picks in that draft were Al Harris, DE from Arizona State with the ninth pick, WR Rickey Watts from Tulsa in the second round, and RB Willie McClendon from Georgia in the third. All four of these players would contribute to the team’s success in 1979 and beyond.
The ’79 season opened in Green Bay against the arch-rival Packers. Phipps started but the Bears’ offense was anemic, partly due to them losing FB John Skibinski in the first quarter to a shoulder injury that would sideline him for the season. This, coupled with the loss to injury of Roland Harper in August, left the Bears dangerously short at the position. RB/WR David Williams would be thrust into the starting fullback role, a position he would man steadily for the rest of the year. Thanks to a blocked field goal by Virgil Livers and steady punting from Bob Parsons, Chicago prevailed over the Packers, 6-3.
The following week Chicago lit up Minnesota 26-7. Walter Payton rushed for 182 yards, and Vince Evans led a ball-control offense throughout the second half after Phipps left the game due to the flu. The Bears were 2-0, but their undefeated status was not to last. The following week, Chicago only controlled the ball for 24 minutes against the defending NFC champion Cowboys at Texas Stadium, and the Cowboys won 24-20. Chicago actually led twice, but Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett proved to be too much. Payton rushed for 134 yards to become Chicago’s all-time leading rusher.
What looked to be a promising season kicked off by a 2-0 start began to look dimmer, thanks to losses in weeks four and five. On September 23, they lost to Miami 31-16 after leading 6-3 at the half. Payton managed only 43 yards and Vince Evans, still starting for Phipps, threw for 92 yards and two interceptions. Avellini, who gained 68 yards on five completions, relieved him. Bear fans were disappointed again September 30, when the surprising Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 17-13 at sunny Soldier Field. Chicago led 13-10 into the fourth quarter, but two interceptions thrown by Evans in that period ended the possibilities of a win. The loss dropped the Bears to 2-3.
Vince Evans’ season abruptly ended after the Tampa game. Evans was drafted in 1977 and thought to be the quarterback of the future for the team. He had an impressive preseason, and held on to the starting position after relieving Phipps in Minnesota. The plan was to stick with Evans and watch his development improve through 1979. But the week after the Tampa game, he came down with flu-like symptoms, and was diagnosed with a staph infection that settled in his hip. Evans’ fevers reached dangerous levels-almost killing him-and ended his 1979 season. Phipps was back in control as the starter, backed up by Avellini and P Bob Parsons as 2nd and 3rd string.
Phipps’ re-entry as the starter delivered mixed results in the season’s sixth and seventh weeks. Against Buffalo on 10/7, Chicago won 7-0, thanks to a stifling defense and one incredible end-zone leap from Walter Payton. In the following game, they were thumped at New England 27-7. In that contest, Walter Payton was held to 42 yards rushing, but veteran Doug Buffone, in his last season as a Bear, stole two interceptions in his first start of the year.
With a 3-4 record and a win absolutely necessary, Coach Neil Armstrong went back to Bob Avellini as the starter at Minnesota on October 21. Despite scoring the most points any Chicago team had over the previous 14 years (1965 vs. San Francisco), the Bears lost 30-27, dropping their record at the midway point of the season to 3-5. Phipps came back into the game in the second half, putting Chicago up twice, but the team couldn’t hang on. He was named the starter for the following week due to his play.
And that following week is exactly where the season turned around, and the incredible magic began. The Bears were trailing the 49ers in San Francisco on October 28th 27-21 with 1:38 left in the game. Chicago had the ball with 4th and 8 on the 49er 48 yard line. Phipps faded back and tossed a perfect spiral to WR James Scott, who converted the 20-yard pass into a 48-yard TD, putting the Bears in front 28-27. The game was not over, however, until SS Doug Plank intercepted a Steve DeBerg pass with 41 seconds left. Walter Payton rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Despite being 3-5 at the midway point of the season, the Bears’ fortunes had changed.
In week ten, the Bears trounced the Lions 35-7, breaking a 7-7 stalemate early in the contest. WR Steve Schubert returned a punt 77 yards for a TD, and DE Mike Hartenstine sacked rookie Detroit QB Jeff Komlo 2 times. November 11, the Bears traveled to meet eventual NFC Champion Los Angeles, and overcame a 16-0 deficit to win 27-23. Phipps threw for 239 yards and 2 TD’s, and rookie Rickey Watts made his first start, nabbing 6 passes for 147 yards.
The next Sunday, Walter Payton saw limited action, rushing for 53 yards on 10 carries, and rookie McClendon saw extensive action in relief. The Bears defeated the NY Jets 23-13. On Thanksgiving, Chicago suffered its only defeat of the second half of the season, being shut out at Detroit 20-0. The Bears penetrated Detroit territory six times without scoring, and Mike Phipps had his nose broken by Detroit’s Al “Bubba” Baker. This loss all but sealed the Bears fate-win their last three games or stay home for the playoffs.
Win they did-first at Tampa 14-0, then against Green Bay at Soldier Field 15-14. Going into the December 16th showdown against St. Louis at home, Chicago was in a do-or-die situation.
That December 16th was surreal, and the way it turned out would have been impossible for a Hollywood screenwriter to imagine. Chicago awoke that morning to snow and bitter cold, and to the news that Bears President George “Mugs” Halas had died suddenly of a heart attack. Subplots for this sad day for the Bears would be that in order to make the playoffs, Tampa Bay would need to lose to Kansas City, or an improbable set of circumstances would have to occur. If Tampa won, Dallas would need to defeat Washington and the Bears would have to beat St. Louis. Not only this, but the combined difference of the scores between the two games would have to add up to at least 34 points in the Bears favor, due to playoff tiebreaker calculations. Additionally, Walter Payton was battling rookie St. Louis RB Ottis “OJ” Anderson for the NFC rushing title. Payton would need to outrush Anderson by 100 yards to win the title.
Payton seemed to take all of these challenges in stride. T Ted Albrecht commented in Dick Wittingham’s book What Bears They Were that the RB was untying the referee’s shoelaces in every pile on the game’s opening drive, and Payton even swapped helmets with Willie McClendon when he scored the game’s first touchdown. With karma like that, fans had to know they were in for a treat, and they were. The Bears pulled out every stop, and defeated St. Louis 42-6 in Doug Buffone’s last game at Soldier Field.
Knowing that this huge victory wasn’t all the team needed, Bear players huddled around their car radios after the game. They listened to updates on the Dallas-Washington game, which the Redskins had been winning 17-0 in the third quarter. Dallas pulled out a 35-34 victory, and Chicago was in the playoffs for the second time in three years.
The magical 1979 season ended for Chicago the following week at Philadelphia. The Bears blew numerous chances to win the game. Leading 17-10 at halftime, an 84-yard Walter Payton run was called back on a questionable penalty, then Phipps threw several costly interceptions, including one in the end zone on an ill-advised pass to Brian Baschnagel.
The Bears returned to Chicago on December 23, disappointed at their loss but basking in the memories of a truly special season.
Quote of the Year: "We had beaten the Rams in the regular season, and the Rams ended up going to the Super Bowl. If we just could have beaten Philadelphia, we thought we had a pretty good chance. But it didn't happen. -Linebacker Doug Buffone
1979 Records:Preseason 3-1, Regular Season 10-6, Playoffs 0-1
1979 NFL Rankings: Not available
1979 Coaches: Neill Armstrong, Head Coach; Buddy Ryan, Defensive Coordinator; Ken Meyer, Offensive Coordinator
DATE
TEAM
RESULT
NOTES
8/4
Jets
27-14
Preseason
8/11
Saints
13-6
Preseason
8/18
Bengals
17-13
Preseason
8/25
Cardinals
7-10
Preseason
9/2
Packers
6-3
Low Scoring Win
9/9
Vikings
26-7
Win over Tough Vikes
9/16
Cowboys
20-24
Tough loss.
9/23
Miami
16-31
Second loss in a row
9/30
Bucs
13-17
Just short of victory
10/7
Bills
7-0
Payton's leap wins.
10/14
Patriots
7-27
Big loss to redshirts
10/21
Vikings
27-30
Can't sweep Vikings
10/28
49ers
28-27
Season-turning win
11/4
Lions
35-7
Rout
11/11
Rams
27-23
Close win, streak alive
11/18
Jets
23-13
Fourth win in a row
11/22
Lions
0-20
Thanksgiving loss.
12/2
Bucs
14-0
Split with champs.
12/9
Packers
15-14
Sweep of rivals
12/16
Cardinals
42-6
Improbable entry .
12/23
Eagles
17-27
Disappointing end.
HOME
AWAY
Passing: Mike Phipps- Originally acquired by the Bears from the Cleveland Browns in a 1978 trade, Phipps did not start 1979 as the starter.  In the end, he passed for 1,535 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Rushing: Walter Payton-In one of his best seasons, Payton won the NFC rushing title in the final game over St. Louis rookie O.J. Anderson.
Receiving: Brian Baschnagel-Led the team in receiving yards with 452 yards on 30 catches and 2 touchdowns.  Running back David Williams led in receptions.
Scoring: Walter Payton- In his finest scoring season, Payton led the team with 16 touchdowns.  14 were on the ground and 2 via reception.
Sacks: Jim Osborne- The 8-year veteran and career Bear paced the team with 10.5 sacks from the defensive tackle position.
Interceptions: Terry Schmidt (left) and Gary Fencik-Safety Fencik and cornerback Schmidt tied for the team lead with 6 picks each.
1979 Chicago Bears Normal Starting Lineup
Mike Phipps Walter Payton Dave Williams James Scott Brian Baschnagel Ted Albrecht Noah Jackson Dan Neal Revie Sorey Dennis Lick Mike Cobb Bob Thomas
15 QB
34 RB
22 RB
89 WR
84 WR
64 LT
65 LG
52 C
69 RG
70 RT
87 TE
16 K
Mike Hartenstine Alan Page Jim Osborne Dan Hampton Gary Campbell Tom Hicks Jerry Muckensturm Virgil Livers Gary Fencik Doug Plank Terry Schmidt Bob Parsons
73 DE
82 DT
68 DT
99 DE
59 LB
54 MLB
58 LB
24 CB
45 SS
46 FS
44 CB
86 P
Vince Evans began the 1979 season as the Bears' starting quarterback before being lost for the season with a bad staph infection.  Bob Avellini first took over as the starter, then Phipps.  Walter Payton started his usual 16 games. At the other running back position, which I don't call fullback because the Bears used so many pro set formations, David Williams took over for the injured Roland Harper.  On defense, rookies Al Harris and Dan Hampton were eased into the lineup as the season went on.   From left to right: Offense Mike Phipps, Walter Payton, Dave Williams, James Scott, Brian Baschnagel, Ted Albrecht, Noah Jackson, Dan Neal, Revie Sorey, Dennis Lick, Mike Cobb, Bob Thomas.  Defense Mike Hartenstine, Alan Page, Jim Osborne, Dan Hampton, Gary Campbell, Tom Hicks, Jerry Muckensturm, Virgil Livers, Gary Fencik, Doug Plank, Terry Schmidt, Bob Parsons.
7
QB
Bob Avellini
Maryland
5
8
QB
Vince Evans
USC
3
15
QB
Mike Phipps
Purdue
10
16
K
Bob Thomas
Notre Dame
5
22
RB
Dave Williams
Colorado
3
23
DB
Lenny Walterscheid
S. Utah St.
3
24
CB
Virgil Livers
W. Kentucky
5
25
RB
Lonnie Perrin
Illinois
4
34
RB
Walter Payton
Jackson St.
5
36
RB
Wentford Gaines
Cincinnati
2
37
RB
Willie McClendon
Georgia
R
39
RB
Robin Earl
Washington
3
44
DB
Terry Schmidt
Ball State
6
45
S
Gary Fencik
Yale
4
46
S
Doug Plank
Ohio State
5
47
CB
Mike Spivey
Colorado
3
48
CB
Alan Ellis
UCLA
6
50
LB
Mark Merrill
Minnesota
2
51
LB
Bruce Herron
New Mexico
2
52
C
Dan Neal
Kentucky
7
53
DE
Tommy Hart
Morris Brown
12
54
LB
Tom Hicks
Illinois
4
55
LB
Doug Buffone
Louisville
13
57
LB
Lee Kunz
Nebraska
R
58
LB
Jerry Muckenstrum
Arkansas St.
4
59
LB
Gary Campbell
Colorado
3
60
G
Lynn Boden
S. Dakota St.
5
62
T
Dan Jiggetts
Harvard
4
63
C
Tony Ardizzone
Northwestern
1
64
T
Ted Albrecht
California
3
65
G
Noah Jackson
Tampa
5
68
DT
Jim Osborne
Southern
8
69
G
Revie Sorey
Illinois
5
70
T
Dennis Lick
Wisconsin
4
73
DE
Mike Hartenstine
Penn State
5
76
DT
Ron Rydalch
Utah
5
80
WR
Rickey Watts
Tulsa
R
81
WR
Harry Washington
Colorado St.
2
82
DT
Alan Page
Notre Dame
13
83
WR
Kris Haines
Notre Dame
R
84
WR
Brian Baschnagel
Ohio State
4
86
P
Bob Parsons
Penn State
8
87
TE
Mike Cobb
Michigan St.
3
88
TE
Gregg Latta
Morgan State
5
90
DE
Al Harris
Arizona St.
R
99
DE
Dan Hampton
Arkansas
R
The 1979 Chicago Bears Gameday Experience
Screen capture from an 8mm movie I took at a 1980 game.
Any fan that currently attends Chicago Bears games in the new Soldier Field should be able to appreciate this story.  This is what it was like to attend a Bears game in 1979.  I went to two that year, the first of many.
In 1979, one would drive up (or down) Lake Shore drive, and turn directly into the gigantic parking lot south of the stadium to park for around $10.  Cash parking spaces were plentiful, even at 10 a.m. 
The usual modus operandi would be to do a little tailgating, drinking and eating for an hour or two before the game.  Needed to use the restroom?  Don't look for a port-a-potty as they didn't exist (at Soldier Field) at the time.  Look for the large green building that featured one huge trough for all the men to use.
Just before gametime, grab your $10 tickets and head with the rest of the crowd over the large pedestrian bridge that spanned Waldron Drive, to the south of the stadium. 
Find your bench seat, as the entire stadium was bench seating, and enjoy the game, the Honey Bears, and any food or non-alcoholic drink you would have brought in as it was allowed.
Contrast with 2005: tickets start at $55 each, minimal cash parking is $35, the campus is landscaped, and practically nothing can be brought in to the stadium with you.
Oh, and there are no Honey Bears.  But you already knew that.


The 1979 Chicago Bears began the season 3-5, then rallied to finish the season 5-3.  The season turned for the better after a stirring 28-27 come-from-behind victory led by QB Mike Phipps.  The Bears were stunned to learn of the untimely death of team President George S. "Mugs" Halas Jr. the morning of their huge game against the St. Louis Cardinals.  The Bears rallied to win that game 42-6 to earn them a berth in the postseason.  The 1979-1981 Bears had two future State Supreme Court Justices on their roster.  Hall of Famer Alan Page, who spent the final four years of his career with the Bears, is a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice.  Kicker Bob Thomas holds the same position in Illinois.
San Francisco 49ers draft future Hall of Famer Joe Montana from Notre Dame in the third round. (Bears select running back Willie McClendon, Georgia, 16 picks earlier). Other quarterbacks drafted in the first round are Phil Simms by the New York Giants and future Bear Steve Fuller by Kansas City. Perennial division leaders remain unchanged across the NFL: Pittsburgh, San Diego and Miami in the AFC; Dallas and the LA Rams in the NFC East and West, respectively. The NFC Central is turned upside down as normal losers Tampa Bay win the division, and the Bears clinch the wildcard. It is only the Bears' second playoff appearance since 1963. Houston's Earl Campbell leads the AFC in rushing, Walter Payton leads the NFC. The cinderella Buccaneers advance to host the NFC Championship but lose to the Rams 9-0. Pittsburgh wins its fourth Super Bowl over the Rams, 31-19 in Pasadena, CA.
1979 Bears Draft
Rd
Pos
Name
School
1a
DE
Dan Hampton
Arkansas
1b
DE
Al Harris
Arizona St.
2
WR
Rickey Watts
Tulsa
3
RB
Willie McClendon
Georgia
4-Traded to Cincinnati
5-Traded to Dallas
6
LB
John Sullivan
Illinois
7
LB
Lee Kunz
Nebraska
8
DB
Rick Moss
Purdue
9
RB
Jerome Heavens
Notre Dame
10
DB
Joe Restik
Notre Dame
11
T
Bob Wright
Cincinnati
12
DB
Dave Becker
Iowa
1979 Bears Trades
None
1979 Bears Free Agent Signings
C Tony Ardizzone
WR Kris Haines
LB Mark Merrill
RB Lonnie Perrin
WR Harry Washington
RB Dave Williams
T Rocco Moore
G Lynn Boden
DL Jerry Meyers
1979 Bears Retirements
None
1979 Chicago Bears Awards
Wild Card Playoff Berth
Walter Payton, NFC Rushing Champion
Walter Payton, Pro Bowl








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