Tom Waddle has had a rather inspiring rise on the Chicago sports landscape. He arrived as a nondescript wide receiver from Boston College. Many people didn’t give him a prayer of keeping a starting job on offense. He just didn’t have the size or the athletic chops. What he did have though was an unyielding work ethic and a strong pair of hands.
He used both to maximum effect. Though he never became a star, he did gain a sort of cult following among Chicago Bears fans. They appreciate his effort and his willingness to sacrifice his body to make plays. That folk hero status helped him to become one of the most notable names in the Chicago-area sports broadcasting business.
He has his own show (Waddle & Silvy) on ESPN 1000 but has also done outside work with NFL Network and others. He’s a respected name who keeps things honest and straightforward. At the same time, the man has to have his share of stories to tell.
Tom Waddle survived the end of the Ditka era
One of the biggest influences on his life, personally and professionally, was former Bears head coach Mike Ditka. Next to his father, Waddle says Ditka was crucial to his sports career going so well. One would think this would’ve led to a heartfelt moment between the two. According to Dan Pompei of The Athletic, that was the case. Well, almost.
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An injury-depleted group of wide receivers forced Waddle on the field in the season opener against the Vikings, and Waddle caught a 37-yard touchdown pass in a 10-6 victory.
Afterwards, Ditka found Waddle on the field and patted him on the shoulder. Waddle ducked his head to hide his emotions, and he went into a heartfelt speech.
“Coach, I just want to tell you thank you for believing in me,” Waddle said. “This wouldn’t be possible without you. If you keep believing in me, I promise I’ll keep playing hard for you.” And on and on.
When he finished, Waddle looked up to find his coach’s eyes. Instead he saw Ditka 30 yards away walking into the locker room.
Classic Ditka. Though he could be a caring man, he was also not one for sentimental moments. They wasted too much time. Iron Mike has always been about the next thing. He gave Waddle his credit and was done. Tom was merely one of the latest guys to learn that lesson. Good thing it didn’t happen on camera.
That wasn’t end of the memorable stories though.
Waddle got some sage advice from Dan Hampton
He also recalled how much respect he had for his veteran teammates. Specifically those who played for the famed 1985 Bears defense. It turns out one man in particular he was desperately seeking approval from. For obvious reasons.
Waddle remembers being too afraid to speak to Steve McMichael for two years. And he remembers trying to get Dan Hampton to notice him.
“You knew if you got into Dan’s good graces, you made it,” Waddle said. “I remember making catches in training camp and impressing Dan. He would have his pants pulled up high, his No. 99 jersey on with a cup of coffee on the sidelines watching practice. He couldn’t practice because his knees were a mess. The only thing he could do was to save himself to play on Sunday.”
Hampton liked the hands, but he had some advice.
“Kid,” he told Waddle, “small, slow and friendly is no combination for this league. You have to be a little meaner. You have to be a little nastier.”
Seems Waddle took the advice to heart. He started playing with a bit more of an edge in 1991 and he had a breakout year with 599 yards and three touchdowns. A year after that he broke both marks with 674 yards and four touchdowns. Injuries soon began to take their toll on him and he was out of the league before age 28. Too bad because it’s fair to wonder how he might’ve done in a more modern offense.
Regardless those are two great stories of just how larger than life Ditka and Hampton were, and still are.
