He was the heart and soul of the greatest defense to ever step onto a football field. He was the two-time defensive player of the year at a time when folks like Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White were in their prime. He was an eight-time All Pro, a ten-time Pro Bowler. He was the minister. The samurai. Why hasn’t Mike Singletary’s #50 been retired by the Chicago Bears?
It’s time. As a matter of fact it’s ten years too late. Brian Urlacher, the most popular Chicago Bear since Walter Payton, is not half the player Samurai was, nor half the man. Yet you look around Soldier Field on game day and no matter what color the jersey – navy, white, orange – the number reads 54. When a Bears fan enters Soldier Field, he or she should be able to look up and see 50 as well. The 1985 Chicago Bears had their loose canons and their wild men. They had their punks and drunks but they were led on both sides of the ball by two of the best men to ever wear any uniform. No one will ever wear 34 again in Chicago. No should ever wear 50 either.
The pleas begin today on this little website. Mike Singletary is currently the Assistant Head Coach in San Francisco so giving him a day at Soldier Field will be difficult. But teams have bye weeks. Teams play Thursday night games. Hell if the Bears finish in third place this year, the 49ers may be in Soldier Field next season. This simply must get done. 2008 will be the tenth anniversary of Mike Singletary’s induction into the Hall of Fame. How long must he wait to be immortalized in the building where for twelve years he represented everything we love about the Chicago Bears?
We sit here today – the day before Thanksgiving 2007 – our season over. We question our team’s heart. We question their dedication, their passion. What better time to remember Mike Singletary? If you're a reader of this site who doesn't post, I hope you'll write something about Mike in the comments. Let's make a statement...even if it's a quiet one.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody. We'll return Friday and look at the 4-6 Bears home game with the Denver Broncos.
#2 Bill said . . .The eyes.....the eyes of a champion, a warrior on the prowl & the captain of the greatest defense ever to step foot on a football field. Nothing will ever compare to Mike surveying the field with his eyes wide open and the steam blowing out of his mouth just waiting to unleash a fury of punishment on a ballcarrier.
I would love to see a matchup of NE's offense against the 85 bears defense, that would be fun!
Happy Thanskgiving to all & thanks for a great post Jeff!
November 21, 2007
#3 No said . . .I agree; there is however a logistical problem in that linebackers have to wear 50s or 90s; one could argue for other numbers to be retired too. But of all those posibilities, Singletary is so far above them that I won't spoil his legacy by naming any of them in the same post.
It was his relentless desire to keep improving - his obsession with film study AND the ability to process all that information into controlled destruction on game days.
My favorite was his stuff of Eric Dickerson on 4th down in the championship game against the Rams. I think Dickerson was bitter about that - my son sat with him during an autograph show he worked at, and Dickerson told him "If we had a bettter QB, we coudl have beaten the '85 Bears."
I think that hit knocked something loose in Dickerson that processes reality.
November 21, 2007
#4 CAK said . . .Retire #50? No. At least not for another 10 or 15 years.
November 21, 2007
#5 jeff said . . .I agree with everything in this post... but I have to bring it up... the season's not over...
November 21, 2007
#6 BRIANsong said . . .the giants have retired phil simms and lawrence taylor already. what are we waiting 10 years for? as for the linebackers must wear 50s and 90s...understood...but those kinds of rules will undoubtedly change and we're not talking about a bubble jersey...we're talking about a legend.
November 21, 2007
#7 Shady McBears Fan said . . .The only other jersey on that team that I always thought might get retired is Doug Plank's 46 - because its the namesake of the defense.
November 21, 2007
#8 Kevin Old School Bears Fan said . . .Current Chicago Bear retired numbers and players:
3 Bronko Nagurski 42 Sid Luckman
5 George McAfee 51 Dick Butkus
7 George Halas 56 Bill Hewitt
28 Willie Galimore 61 Bill George
34 Walter Payton 66 Clyde (Bulldog) Turner
40 Gale Sayers 77 Harold (Red) Grange
41 Brian Piccolo
Although I never had the privilege to see Mike Singletary on the football field, from what I've read:http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/hof-singletary.asp
and from what I've seen:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DE2RBu3lUa0
(P.S. I've always had a thing for Summer Sanders)Singletary is the definition of Chicago Bear football.
Retire #50
The subject makes me wonder about what the legacy of #54 Brian Urlacher will be.
November 21, 2007
#9 Megan said . . .I have been a Bears fan since I first realized that football was a great sport to watch (and BS with your friends and enemies alike). I would place that somewhere around 3rd or 4th grade (1970 or 1971). I've seen the worst and I've seen the best since then. Without a doubt the player with the biggest heart and the most drive and determination ever was Walter Payton. Mike Singletary is a very close second in this category.
When I think of Singletary I think of his eyes roaming the field prior to the snap. I would have hated to be a runner against him, knowing that he was going to run through me to tackle me. I don't think Mike ever tackled anyone lightly.
You get my vote to retire #50.November 21, 2007
#10 Megan said . . .AMEN Jeff!
One of the best football players ever, not just because he was a Bear. Just a smart, efficient and steady player. Got the job done.
I met him once at a fan appreciation night at the start of the infamous season (he was there with Dennis McKinnon). What a sportsman and what a gentleman. He LOVED talking to fans, he was quite and somewhat softspoken. But you talk to him about upcoming games or going against certain players and he would talk. He studied his opponents intently before and during the games.
I have always respected him as a player and a person.You get my vote!
November 21, 2007
#11 Phil from SATX said . . .BTW, Very good and uplifting post. I think we all needed that. Thanks Jeff.
November 21, 2007
#12 Pissed Off said . . .Hell yes you retire Mike Singletary's jersey. There's no question, no doubt about it. Think about 1985 and the Super Bowl - while die hard fans will be able to continue to recite the names of players, there's a reason that two players stand out, in #34 and #50. The thing is, those two players actually had a lot in common. Their work ethic, their intelligence, both football and otherwise, their character, their humility despite overwhelming personal talent, and their undeniable love of the game.
Because this is such a no-brainer to me, what's a more interesting question is where #54 fits in to the equation. I love #54, he's still my favorite member of this team, and he has given me many incredible memories over the years. Saying that "he's half the player of #50" - I think that goes too far, probably way too far. But looking at the list of characteristics shared between #34 and #50, I think he does fall short in some of those areas. Also, we never witnessed a falloff (at least that I can recall) in Singletary. Brian has not been himself this year. If this continues, will this tarnish Urlacher's legacy? Maybe so.
But #50 should have been retired at the earliest possible moment. No doubt about it.
November 21, 2007
#13 Al in WI said . . .Jeff please explain..."Brian Urlacher, the most popular Chicago Bear since Walter Payton, is not half the player Samurai was, nor half the man." What are you basing this on? Not arguing just wondering your reasons for the bold statement. Urlachers career is not over here yet but when its done, #54 will in my mind be up there just as high if not higher than #50. People have a tendency to put current players down or not realize their current value due to how a team is doing. And fans absolutely have a tendency to overrate past great players. Is this happening here?
But yes, retire #50 already.
November 21, 2007
#14 Al in WI said . . .Mike Singletary was absolutely one the best all-time Chicago Bears. And should have his number retired. It's odd that they haven't since no one has worn the number since he retired after the '92 campaign.
It's hard to pick a favorite moment but mine took place in November of 1988. The Bucs were on the lake front to play the Bears and were facing a 3rd and 2 at the Bear 40. Vinny got Tampa to the line, and Singletary started pointing wildly with his right arm like he was throwing a punch, towards the gap between the center and right gaurd. Testaverde saw this and stood up from center, looked around, and called a time out. After that they came to the line again and this time Singletary was pointing at the gap between the left gaurd and left tackle. Vinny was again confused but this time ran the play, a run right to the gap Singletary had pointed out, and the bucs were stuffed buy Singletary and McMicheal. I thought that said it all, he knew the play before it happened.
On another note, I've heard concern because the Bears have so many jersey's retired. Well Singletary's should be and a couple could be unretired. Such as Hewit's #56, McAfee's #5 and even Halas's #7.November 21, 2007
#15 jeff said . . .Oh yeah, It might be nice to retire the jersey during halftime of his first game as Bears head coach.
November 21, 2007
#16 B.A. Baracus said . . .god, al. very nice. never happen but god it'd be nice.
November 21, 2007
#17 Midway Monster said . . .Yes, retire his jersey. It is long overdue. Singletary played with savvy and intelligence and was the glue that held the greatest defense ever together.
Oh and CAK - The season is over. Live in the now...
November 21, 2007
#18 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .A quick search gives the following Retired Bears Numbers To Date:
3 Bronco Nagurski
5 George HcAfee
7 George Halas
28 Willie Galimoer
34 Walter Payton
40 Gale Sayers
41 Brian Piccolo
42 Sid Luckman
51 Dick Butkus
56 Bill Hewitt
61 Bill George
66 Bulldog Turner
77 Red Grange-- Midway --
November 21, 2007
#19 Midway Monster said . . .Hey all, I have to share this one with you.
Took the family downtown today and had lunch at Ditka's. My wife took the kids to the restroom, and when she returned, she insisted that I visit the little boys room. When I reached the top of the stairs, I found out why; Da Coach, Mike Ditka was having lunch with a large group of people. I slowed down my walk to get a good look....
He was wearing his Superbowl XX Championship ring and a Supberbowl XX Championship leather jacket. Took time to look again on the way out.
What a day.
Have a great Thanksgiving all.
Got some Labatt's Blue and Amstel Light in the fridge...going upscale for Turkey Day.
November 21, 2007
#20 Midway Monster said . . .Windy - didn't you mention us to him & this blog?!
-- Midway --
November 22, 2007
#21 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .Shady (Post #17) - sorry for the dup post. my bad.
-- Midway --
November 22, 2007
#22 Z said . . .Believe me, I wanted to say 'Hi,' shake his hand, get a picture...but didn't want to interupt the man's lunch.
Dammit...I should've at least left him the blog address.
November 22, 2007
#23 Midway Monster said . . .Great call Jeff. #50's stare alone may have caused a fumble or two in his career. There is no excuse for his # not to be retired. No one should ever be allowed to wear #50 on a Bear's team nor do I think anyone would have the balls to try. Unretire a # or two, whatever it takes. I bet he could still wrap up a tackle or two that we have missed this year. Ahh #34 and #50. Even though we are not very good right now, I love being a Chicago Bears fan. Thanks Jeff. Way to bring some positive memories back up .
November 22, 2007
#24 Windy City Packer Fan said . . .Watching the pre-game show on FOX. Funny I thought today was a day that we acknowledged some of our original settlers. Stupid me: I didn't know today was also "Brett Favre a$$-kiss fest" day.
-- Midway --
(I have always, will always be anti-Green Bay)November 22, 2007
#25 CAK said . . .Midway,
I understand your 'anti-Packer' thing, I know that you are tired of seeing the pieces of Favre.
I NEVER felt like that about Walter. I, for many, was glued to my TV when he broke the record, was VERY happy for him, and still know he was the best EVER. Hell, I'm still thinking about buying a '34' jersey to hang in the basement.
November 22, 2007
#26 BRIANsong said . . .B.A. (Post 16) the last regular season game is on 12/30/07. So, the season is not over and niether is a Super Bowl chance.
November 22, 2007
#27 Jakub said . . .Bears win Sunday and they are one game out.
November 23, 2007
Devin is my hero. What a game. I will be watching this one again. HUGE game next week.
Bear Down!
November 26, 2007
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.