My Uncle was Jim Finks and I love Mike Adamle's poem mentioning Jim Finks underpaid the players. He was known to be frugal. I had the great privilege to get to know all of these players in 1976 working at the training camp. They are all great men and role models. Thanks for this great video. Brings back incredible memories. I sure miss Walter. There is special place in heaven for Sweetness. Regards to all of the wonderful Bear fans. John Finks
@13:29 Hartenstine is featured. Too bad that Ditka made Fridge his favorite in 1985, as Hartenstine should have never been replaced by the overweight, lazy-no ass rush Fridge. The 84 Bears defense had many more sacks than 85, primarily because 85 wasted one of their DL spots with unroductive fatso, and forced a productive Hartenstine to the bench. at least he got the ring. Had the Bears acted wisely and taken Fridge with a 5th round pick, there would have been no pressure fromDa Coach to play him over better players.
@@CJinsoo Hartenstine was a solid starting D-lineman. Definitely underrated. I don't rate Fridge as poorly as you do, but I do agree that taking him in round one was a reach. *When* he was in good shape he was pretty fast for a player of his size. He was a bigger deal off the field as a celebrity. My biggest gripe is that he got a TD in SB XX over Walter.
I can't imagine how good that guy who retired for 3 years really was. Like how much better would they have been had he not? Didn't Bronco come back in ww2 years after six years away?
Truly astounding to come back-and start-after 3 years off. But I looked him up now and it is not accurate information. He played in the WFL (probably for more money) during his time off and while he was in law school. He played for Birmingham when they won the WFL championship, so at least he played on a professional football champion. And 1976 was his last season, oddly enough. Looks like law was more alluring as he graduated from LSU law school in 1977.
The narrator of this excellent film is John Doremus, who would later be the special feature narrator for NFL Films in 1986 and 1987. BTW -- Doremus also narrates the Bears' 1975 Yearbook Film -- th-cam.com/video/q5dgGNYe4So/w-d-xo.html
My Uncle was Jim Finks and I love Mike Adamle's poem mentioning Jim Finks underpaid the players. He was known to be frugal. I had the great privilege to get to know all of these players in 1976 working at the training camp. They are all great men and role models. Thanks for this great video. Brings back incredible memories. I sure miss Walter. There is special place in heaven for Sweetness. Regards to all of the wonderful Bear fans. John Finks
Finks did a nice job with the Vikes. The draft talent after he left fell off considerably for the purple.
Three players who were on the 1976 Bears (Walter Payton, Gary Fencik and Mike Hartenstine) were on the team when the Bears won it all in 1985.
Brian Baschnagel too.
@13:29 Hartenstine is featured. Too bad that Ditka made Fridge his favorite in 1985, as Hartenstine should have never been replaced by the overweight, lazy-no ass rush Fridge. The 84 Bears defense had many more sacks than 85, primarily because 85 wasted one of their DL spots with unroductive fatso, and forced a productive Hartenstine to the bench. at least he got the ring. Had the Bears acted wisely and taken Fridge with a 5th round pick, there would have been no pressure fromDa Coach to play him over better players.
@@CJinsoo Hartenstine was a solid starting D-lineman. Definitely underrated. I don't rate Fridge as poorly as you do, but I do agree that taking him in round one was a reach. *When* he was in good shape he was pretty fast for a player of his size. He was a bigger deal off the field as a celebrity. My biggest gripe is that he got a TD in SB XX over Walter.
Thanks for the upload!👍🏿
I can't imagine how good that guy who retired for 3 years really was. Like how much better would they have been had he not? Didn't Bronco come back in ww2 years after six years away?
Truly astounding to come back-and start-after 3 years off. But I looked him up now and it is not accurate information. He played in the WFL (probably for more money) during his time off and while he was in law school. He played for Birmingham when they won the WFL championship, so at least he played on a professional football champion. And 1976 was his last season, oddly enough. Looks like law was more alluring as he graduated from LSU law school in 1977.
This team actually had some strengths on their defense, special teams and of course Payton. They just weren’t able to put it together.
They did beat Washington 33-7 and Minnesota 14-13 two playoff teams
I believe they were the youngest team in the league. Jim Finks was putting together a contender
In the case of Ross Brupbacher, I wouldn't call playing two years with the Birmingham Americans/Vulcans in the WFL "retirement".
The narrator of this excellent film is John Doremus, who would later be the special feature narrator for NFL Films in 1986 and 1987. BTW -- Doremus also narrates the Bears' 1975 Yearbook Film -- th-cam.com/video/q5dgGNYe4So/w-d-xo.html
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Don Rives was just average. Soon replaced by Tom Hicks the original # 54 MLB. Much better player