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Da Bears!: How the 1985 Monsters of the Midway Became the Greatest Team in NFL History
An acclaimed sports journalist and native Chicagoan tackles what many call the greatest team in NFL history. Da Bears! tells the full story of the ’85 legends—with all the controversy and excitement—on the field and off.
It’s been 25 years since the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX with what Bill Parcells called “the best defensive team I’ve ever seen” and an offense surprisingly good for a franchise where offense was often a dirty word. Now, for the first time, an incredibly candid book takes you through all the games and behind the scenes—into the huddles, the locker rooms, the team meetings, and of course the bars—for an intimate account of that unforgettable season.
Here’s how a team that got booed in its regular-season opener ended up winning its first world championship in 22 years, led by the most capable, colorful, and un-PC characters ever to strap on helmets—including Jim McMahon, the hard partyer and so-called punk rocker who became a star quarterback and an antihero; William “Refrigerator” Perry, the rookie giant who turned into a full-blown national sensation; Mike Ditka, the legendarily combative head coach called “Sybil” for his mercurial moods; his nemesis, defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan, who insulted and broke down his players, then built them back up again, military-style; Walter Payton, the hard-nosed running back and mischievous prankster; and middle linebacker Mike Singletary, known for his leadership and his jarring hits.
From the inner workings of their innovative and attacking 46 defense to the inside story of their cocky “Super Bowl Shuffle” music video (shot, amazingly, right after their one loss of the season, to Miami), all the setbacks and triumphs, ferocious hits and foibles, of this once-in-a-lifetime team are recaptured brashly and boldly—the Chicago way.
It’s been 25 years since the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX with what Bill Parcells called “the best defensive team I’ve ever seen” and an offense surprisingly good for a franchise where offense was often a dirty word. Now, for the first time, an incredibly candid book takes you through all the games and behind the scenes—into the huddles, the locker rooms, the team meetings, and of course the bars—for an intimate account of that unforgettable season.
Here’s how a team that got booed in its regular-season opener ended up winning its first world championship in 22 years, led by the most capable, colorful, and un-PC characters ever to strap on helmets—including Jim McMahon, the hard partyer and so-called punk rocker who became a star quarterback and an antihero; William “Refrigerator” Perry, the rookie giant who turned into a full-blown national sensation; Mike Ditka, the legendarily combative head coach called “Sybil” for his mercurial moods; his nemesis, defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan, who insulted and broke down his players, then built them back up again, military-style; Walter Payton, the hard-nosed running back and mischievous prankster; and middle linebacker Mike Singletary, known for his leadership and his jarring hits.
From the inner workings of their innovative and attacking 46 defense to the inside story of their cocky “Super Bowl Shuffle” music video (shot, amazingly, right after their one loss of the season, to Miami), all the setbacks and triumphs, ferocious hits and foibles, of this once-in-a-lifetime team are recaptured brashly and boldly—the Chicago way.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
10 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Steve Delsohn
18 books10 followersSTEVE DELSOHN is the author or co-author of more than half a dozen books, including Da Bears! and Jim Brown's autobiography, Out of Bounds. He also wrote Talking Irish: The Oral History of Notre Dame Football as well as several other oral histories. He is currently a reporter for ESPN's Outside the Lines, for which he recently won a Peabody Award.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 12, 2023
The book “Da Bears!”, by Steve Delsohn is a good book. If you like football then I would recommend this book. This book is nonstop football, it is also about how the 1985 Chicago Bears were the best team to ever exist. This book also shows the ways that the players and the coaches or the team in general would fight and start drama. This book is also good for people who want to know how the team gets managed and things like where they practice, how the team gets their players, how the injured players go about it, and how a game day works. I liked this book mainly because I like football. There are also more details as to why I like this book, one is that I like to find out how the NFL is run and if it is super professional and stuff like that, which it is not. As a result, I would recommend this book to people who like football and want to find out the problems and drama in the NFL.
May 9, 2011
This had the potential to be a great book - A team that had its share of characters, however I felt the book didn't reach the expectations I had for it. Maybe in the hands of another author it would have been better, but quite often this book came across as something written by a first year journalism student in college.
May 23, 2024
DA BEARS
The bears used to be one of the best teams in the league with the most crazy people. The bears are a team is a team that is not very good anymore. They have not won a superbowl in more than 25 years. When they had won the superbowl they had the best defense the NFL and the world had ever seen at that point in time. Their offense was also very good, also one of the best in the league at that time. That was the best Bears team in the history of the franchise and in the history of the nfl. Mike ditka was one of the best tight ends in nfl history . He used aggression as a weapon to win games and run through defenders. He was the head coach of the bears at this time. He would spread his aggression to his players in 1948. The way he coached his team was great he had compassion and anger but he knew how to use it to drive his players to be aggressive and the best that they could be. Which made them the best team in history. They first found out how good they were when they stomped on the previous Super Bowl champions the los Vegas raider 17-6. The bears where such a great team that everyone feared playing. And in the season of 85’ they were even better than the last they were all crazy and ready to hurt people. They were truly an amazing team.
The bears used to be one of the best teams in the league with the most crazy people. The bears are a team is a team that is not very good anymore. They have not won a superbowl in more than 25 years. When they had won the superbowl they had the best defense the NFL and the world had ever seen at that point in time. Their offense was also very good, also one of the best in the league at that time. That was the best Bears team in the history of the franchise and in the history of the nfl. Mike ditka was one of the best tight ends in nfl history . He used aggression as a weapon to win games and run through defenders. He was the head coach of the bears at this time. He would spread his aggression to his players in 1948. The way he coached his team was great he had compassion and anger but he knew how to use it to drive his players to be aggressive and the best that they could be. Which made them the best team in history. They first found out how good they were when they stomped on the previous Super Bowl champions the los Vegas raider 17-6. The bears where such a great team that everyone feared playing. And in the season of 85’ they were even better than the last they were all crazy and ready to hurt people. They were truly an amazing team.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2018
3 for writing, 4 for enjoyment
The writing style is choppy and a little weak but it was a really interesting book. I learned a lot of new information on the most interesting and best team in NFL history, so all in all it was a great, quick read.
The writing style is choppy and a little weak but it was a really interesting book. I learned a lot of new information on the most interesting and best team in NFL history, so all in all it was a great, quick read.
September 15, 2020
Good to relive the glory days of our once proud franchise. Nice insider insights and such as well to supplement the greatest super bowl champions of all time
December 27, 2024
Interesting book, similar to the 30 for 30 on the '85 Bears, but more detailed.
January 21, 2013
Delsohn's purpose in writing his book, Da Bears, is to inform the reader about the 25th anniversary of the 1985 Chicago Bears who were acclaimed to be the best team in NFL history. Da Bears provides in-depth account of events that happened during the Bears historical season. It shows how elements of comedy, seriousness, and preparation led the 1985 Bears to be one of the best teams in NFL history. Da Bears is truly a great book that teaches us to appreciate what we have achieved. Delsohn shows that Chicago was ungrateful of the teams winning ways when he said “the fans in Chicago was be rioting if anything short of a Super Bowl victory was obtained” (Delsohn 22). While Delsohn was informing the reader about 1985 Chicago Bears, he was also convincing the reader to be thankful for what your team had accomplished.
Da Bears will have a long lasting impact on the reader. The book will make the reader put a value on anything. Da Bears teaches the reader to appreciate what they are given in life. Delsohn talks about how Chicago Bear fans were ungrateful for their winning ways, and then the team went on a 25 year drought without winning the Super Bowl. After reading the book the reader will take more appreciation to greatness. The book Da Bears was extremely well written. The book was easy to read while offered advanced vocabulary and sentence structure. Along from having advanced grammar, the book offered pictures for the readers. The pictures show the reader what the members of the 1985 Chicago Bears looked like but also shows the crowd and playing environment. Underneath the photos are captions that give the reader a better felling about the photo. Delsohn gives the readers an in-depth feel of the photo when he says “Chicago Bears fans finally rejoice as it becomes apparent their team will defeat the Rams in the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl XX in New Orleans” (Delsohn 181).
Da Bears was a truly captivating book. The book will keep the reader modest and humble. I related to Jim McMahon the Bears starting quarterback. McMahon was a very skilled player who argued with the referees constantly. McMahon earned his teammates trust and respect when Delsohn said “McMahon stood up to Ditka many times, including many times when Ditka got angry after McMahon changed a play” (Delsohn 187). I found the book to be very entertaining. Delsohn did a very good job of not boring the reader. The book during some periods was funny; Delsohn would include interviews of the players where they would make humorous accounts of the games or practice. Delsohn accounted in an interview when a player said “Walter Peyton was told to run the rock and did only that, only because he was dumber than a rock” (Delsohn 200) to show an element of comedy in his book. Delsohn also showed a tone of seriousness when the Bears players took the field, there were no jokes being made.
Da Bears was an excellent book with very few weaknesses. The books greatest strength was giving an in-depth accurate account of the golden 1985 season for the Chicago Bears. This book is technical in providing season and player statistics. As a narrative, it introduces us to the 1985 players how they were drafted, their personalities, and in some cases, what their futures after 1985 held. It is also narrative in describing dramas between players and coaches during the season. Head coach Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan have a particularly combative relationship. Delsohn show the combative relationship when he says “Ryan and Ditka would go hand to hand every play, if the defense would make a mistake Ryan would be all over Ditka and if the offense would make a mistake Ditka would go nonstop at Ryan, it was a never lasting war in Chicago” (Delsohn 215). The books only weakness was you must have a background knowledge of football to understand some of the terms and events that happened.
After reading Da Bears I would definitely recommend it to a friend. That being said I would especially recommend it to a friend who is a football fan. Da Bears is an excellent book about the dysfunctional team that was the 1985 Bears. The relationship between Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan is especially compelling. Da Bears takes you before, during and after every game of the 1985 season, which is why a true football fan would love the book. A football fan would love how Delsohn goes in great detail about seasonal statistics and individual games during the 1985 season. Even if the reader is not a football fan, through Delsohns great detail they will gain a great interest in football.
Da Bears will have a long lasting impact on the reader. The book will make the reader put a value on anything. Da Bears teaches the reader to appreciate what they are given in life. Delsohn talks about how Chicago Bear fans were ungrateful for their winning ways, and then the team went on a 25 year drought without winning the Super Bowl. After reading the book the reader will take more appreciation to greatness. The book Da Bears was extremely well written. The book was easy to read while offered advanced vocabulary and sentence structure. Along from having advanced grammar, the book offered pictures for the readers. The pictures show the reader what the members of the 1985 Chicago Bears looked like but also shows the crowd and playing environment. Underneath the photos are captions that give the reader a better felling about the photo. Delsohn gives the readers an in-depth feel of the photo when he says “Chicago Bears fans finally rejoice as it becomes apparent their team will defeat the Rams in the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl XX in New Orleans” (Delsohn 181).
Da Bears was a truly captivating book. The book will keep the reader modest and humble. I related to Jim McMahon the Bears starting quarterback. McMahon was a very skilled player who argued with the referees constantly. McMahon earned his teammates trust and respect when Delsohn said “McMahon stood up to Ditka many times, including many times when Ditka got angry after McMahon changed a play” (Delsohn 187). I found the book to be very entertaining. Delsohn did a very good job of not boring the reader. The book during some periods was funny; Delsohn would include interviews of the players where they would make humorous accounts of the games or practice. Delsohn accounted in an interview when a player said “Walter Peyton was told to run the rock and did only that, only because he was dumber than a rock” (Delsohn 200) to show an element of comedy in his book. Delsohn also showed a tone of seriousness when the Bears players took the field, there were no jokes being made.
Da Bears was an excellent book with very few weaknesses. The books greatest strength was giving an in-depth accurate account of the golden 1985 season for the Chicago Bears. This book is technical in providing season and player statistics. As a narrative, it introduces us to the 1985 players how they were drafted, their personalities, and in some cases, what their futures after 1985 held. It is also narrative in describing dramas between players and coaches during the season. Head coach Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan have a particularly combative relationship. Delsohn show the combative relationship when he says “Ryan and Ditka would go hand to hand every play, if the defense would make a mistake Ryan would be all over Ditka and if the offense would make a mistake Ditka would go nonstop at Ryan, it was a never lasting war in Chicago” (Delsohn 215). The books only weakness was you must have a background knowledge of football to understand some of the terms and events that happened.
After reading Da Bears I would definitely recommend it to a friend. That being said I would especially recommend it to a friend who is a football fan. Da Bears is an excellent book about the dysfunctional team that was the 1985 Bears. The relationship between Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan is especially compelling. Da Bears takes you before, during and after every game of the 1985 season, which is why a true football fan would love the book. A football fan would love how Delsohn goes in great detail about seasonal statistics and individual games during the 1985 season. Even if the reader is not a football fan, through Delsohns great detail they will gain a great interest in football.
February 17, 2011
I've read a couple books by Steve Delsohn, who hails from Thousand Oaks, the town I grew up in, but this one is his best.
I was really caught up in this book even though I'm not a Chicago Bears fan. It really brought me back to being in second grade and playing two-touch football with my friend Matt in his backyard. I was always Marcus Allen and Howie Long while he was always Walter Payton, Jim McMahon or Gary Fencik. I got so caught up in this book that I put on some tunes from 85 like Husker Du's New Day Rising and Dire Straits Brother in Arms.
Delsohn really does a good job of describing the entire 1985 season as well as the brief periods of the season before and a few seasons after. Included are stories of the fued between head coach Mike Dikta and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, Jim McMahon and his numerous headbands, Walter Payton, the overnight sensation of William "The Fridge" Perry, Dan Hampton, Gary Fencik, Richard Dent, Mike Singletary, Steve McMichael, Wilber Marshall, Steve Van Horne, Matt Shuey and Willie Gault. And of course, a certain music video.
Delsohn doesn't leave any game out and it never seems as if the book is rushed, in fact, it seems to be the perfect length at 251 pages. Hard to believe it's been 25 years since this great team played. I compare this book a lot to "The Bad Guys Won" by Jeff Pearlman, which is about another team from the same time period, the mid 80's, that were very talented but only won one world championship.
Any sports fan will love this book, and Chicago Bear fans MUST read this book. Well done Mr. Delsohn.
I was really caught up in this book even though I'm not a Chicago Bears fan. It really brought me back to being in second grade and playing two-touch football with my friend Matt in his backyard. I was always Marcus Allen and Howie Long while he was always Walter Payton, Jim McMahon or Gary Fencik. I got so caught up in this book that I put on some tunes from 85 like Husker Du's New Day Rising and Dire Straits Brother in Arms.
Delsohn really does a good job of describing the entire 1985 season as well as the brief periods of the season before and a few seasons after. Included are stories of the fued between head coach Mike Dikta and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, Jim McMahon and his numerous headbands, Walter Payton, the overnight sensation of William "The Fridge" Perry, Dan Hampton, Gary Fencik, Richard Dent, Mike Singletary, Steve McMichael, Wilber Marshall, Steve Van Horne, Matt Shuey and Willie Gault. And of course, a certain music video.
Delsohn doesn't leave any game out and it never seems as if the book is rushed, in fact, it seems to be the perfect length at 251 pages. Hard to believe it's been 25 years since this great team played. I compare this book a lot to "The Bad Guys Won" by Jeff Pearlman, which is about another team from the same time period, the mid 80's, that were very talented but only won one world championship.
Any sports fan will love this book, and Chicago Bear fans MUST read this book. Well done Mr. Delsohn.
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March 8, 2016The story of the 85 Bears was excellient. It explains how a group of guys came together for one goal in mind and that goal was to win a Super Bowl. The book was amazing. It explains so much about how the team was one of the worst teams in NFL history to becoming one of best teams in the nation. I like that it explains the popularity of the players and that everywhere they went it was fame the second they got there. The author used a lot of describing about individual player like Jim McMahon for example what he did down in New Orleans before the Super Bowl, how it took pressure off the team.
The author really uses great tone and uses a lot of info of what really happened in the past. He didn’t really lolly gag or anything he was straight forward with the truth. Which in a non fiction book he did a pretty good job. He talks about how the city was booming and how the fans were thinking of the players being celebrities instead of just regular football players. I mean the city was booming when they winned every game. He talks about how the players used to go out at night and not come home till three or four o'clock in the morning and still supposed to be at practice the next day at 8 am.
Overall though the book was great, I think that it could have used more photos of what the team looked like back then. But It was a great book. I highly recommend if you're a bear fan and wants to read some history. It was one of the best books that I have ever read and will definitely be one to remember as well.
The author really uses great tone and uses a lot of info of what really happened in the past. He didn’t really lolly gag or anything he was straight forward with the truth. Which in a non fiction book he did a pretty good job. He talks about how the city was booming and how the fans were thinking of the players being celebrities instead of just regular football players. I mean the city was booming when they winned every game. He talks about how the players used to go out at night and not come home till three or four o'clock in the morning and still supposed to be at practice the next day at 8 am.
Overall though the book was great, I think that it could have used more photos of what the team looked like back then. But It was a great book. I highly recommend if you're a bear fan and wants to read some history. It was one of the best books that I have ever read and will definitely be one to remember as well.
December 5, 2010
HILARIOUS! As a newly (within the last few years) converted Bears fan, I had a wonderful time learning about the golden 1985 season. This book is technical in providing season/player statistics. As a narrative, it introduces us to the 1985 players - how they were drafted, their personalities, and in some cases, what their futures after 1985 held. It is also narrative in describing dramas between players and coaches during the season. Head coach Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan have a particularly combative relationship, throwing insults via Chicago media outlets and live on the Soldier Field sideline during NFL games. And of course you can't discuss the 1985 season without discussing the "Superbowl shuffle". There were many times I literally laughed out loud while reading this book. If your a Bears fan, you're going to want to read this Chicago sports classic.
September 22, 2011
Awesome book! Great read for any fan of the 1985 Chicago Bears, second only to _Never Die Easy_, Payton's autobiography written with Don Yaeger just before his death. It was so great to relive such a wild ride. The 1985 season comes to life through the words of Bears' greats such as coach Mike Ditka, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Jim McMahon, Dave Duerson, and Kevin Butler, among others. Nothing is left out, from the legendary conflict between Buddy Ryan and Mike Ditka to the infamous Super Bowl Shuffle.
Even if you didn't like the 1985 Bears, if you love football, you will love this book. An incredibly fun (and quick) read.
Even if you didn't like the 1985 Bears, if you love football, you will love this book. An incredibly fun (and quick) read.
December 7, 2023
I've read a lot of these books...and this one is like talking to a fellow fan. Some great new anecdotes and interviews you haven’t read before. It didn't bogged down in all the details of the season and concentrated more on the personality of the team. Don't let the, now silly, title throw you off, this is defintely a Chicago sports fan's book.
March 2, 2015
As a lifelong Bears fan I enjoyed reading the book. I especially related to the players who had also been lifelong Bears' fans like Thayer and Fencik. They expressed what all Chicago fans were feeling. Sad that they could not win more championships, but I think we all knew it wasn't going to happen for us.
January 7, 2011
This book is about the Bears road to Super Bowl 20. Having famous star like Walter Payton Jim McMahon and Mike Singletary. This book makes you feel like your actual there!! And always talks about there wonderful moments and the horrible moments. The get right back up and win the Super Bowl!!!!!
January 20, 2012
An excellent book about the dysfunctional team that was the 1985 Bears. The relationship between Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan is especially compelling. "Da Bears" takes you before, during and after every game of the '85 season. It's a stellar book for football fans.
May 15, 2013
As an avid (some might say rabid) Chicago Bears fan, I really enjoyed this trip down memory lane. The 1985 Bears were an experience!
Delsohn's book does get somewhat repetitive, and it isn't particularly well-written, but it will still delight any diehard Bears aficionado!
Delsohn's book does get somewhat repetitive, and it isn't particularly well-written, but it will still delight any diehard Bears aficionado!
November 5, 2014
A fun and interesting read. Probably a great trip down memory lane for those rabid Bears fans, and a nice little refresher to those of us who remember that season. For sports fans only, unless you love football, this is not a book to read.
January 31, 2011
Good to relive that great season. Most of the stories about the 1985 Bears are well known, but the book does offer a few juicy new (to me) nuggets.
August 6, 2013
I enjoyed reading it. Especially since I have been a Bear fan from the age of 6. I will add it one day to my home library.
April 28, 2014
Nice trip down memory lane.
December 12, 2014
Very enlightening read and really learnt a lot about those players and coaches. Buddy Ryan certainly was a piece of work, like Mike Ditka and Jim McMahon.
November 17, 2020
I read this (it is currently 10-16-2018) 3-4 years ago and I can't remember even one thing about it! HA!
August 21, 2016
Re-tread of many stories known to Chicago fans.
Fun to relive, but nothing new
Fun to relive, but nothing new
July 27, 2012
Harmless, fun but not very insightful....
May 18, 2018
Da Bears tells the incredible story of the Chicago Bears 1985 team that won Super Bowl XX (20).
"Besides the Xs and O's of football, there has to be a thing called passion. A thing called desire." - George Halas the legendary coach and owner of The Bears made this statement when he was describing why he chose legendary football tough guy Mike Ditka to coach his team. Ditka aka Iron Mike was already a legendary Chicago Bears player who had gone on to coach under Tom Landry, the Cowboys head coach and the football genius who created the shotgun formation.
Because Ditka was highly respected in Chicago, where he had been an NFL Rookie of The Year and a top draft pick of the Bears as a tight end, he was embraced by the city. From his cool 'stache to his blunt and insulting manner with reporters, the citizens of hte "Windy City" loved "Iron Mike."
By Ditka's fourth season, he led them to the promised land of football, the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl 20, the Bears trucked the Patriots 46-10.
How did the Bears achieve such greatness? You will have to read the book to find out. But trust me, you won't be disappointed when you do, because the cast of players on the 1985 Chicago Bears is one of the greatest rosters of all time in football. From the crazy headband-wearing, trash-talking quarterback Jim McMahon to the amazing juke moves of Walter "Sweetness" Payton to the initimidating giant William "The Fridge" Perry, this team was loaded with talent. Dan "The Danimal" Hampton was a defensive end who liked to get in bar fights on weekends. Gary Fencik was an Ivy League Yale graduate who liked to destroy receivers on Sundays.
These guys were an amazing crew and you'll definitely want to read more about them in Da Bears.
"Besides the Xs and O's of football, there has to be a thing called passion. A thing called desire." - George Halas the legendary coach and owner of The Bears made this statement when he was describing why he chose legendary football tough guy Mike Ditka to coach his team. Ditka aka Iron Mike was already a legendary Chicago Bears player who had gone on to coach under Tom Landry, the Cowboys head coach and the football genius who created the shotgun formation.
Because Ditka was highly respected in Chicago, where he had been an NFL Rookie of The Year and a top draft pick of the Bears as a tight end, he was embraced by the city. From his cool 'stache to his blunt and insulting manner with reporters, the citizens of hte "Windy City" loved "Iron Mike."
By Ditka's fourth season, he led them to the promised land of football, the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl 20, the Bears trucked the Patriots 46-10.
How did the Bears achieve such greatness? You will have to read the book to find out. But trust me, you won't be disappointed when you do, because the cast of players on the 1985 Chicago Bears is one of the greatest rosters of all time in football. From the crazy headband-wearing, trash-talking quarterback Jim McMahon to the amazing juke moves of Walter "Sweetness" Payton to the initimidating giant William "The Fridge" Perry, this team was loaded with talent. Dan "The Danimal" Hampton was a defensive end who liked to get in bar fights on weekends. Gary Fencik was an Ivy League Yale graduate who liked to destroy receivers on Sundays.
These guys were an amazing crew and you'll definitely want to read more about them in Da Bears.
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March 4, 2019it was good
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews