The Most Violent Game In Bears’ History

In what were the glory days of the Bears under Head Coach Mike Ditka, the Chicago Bears of the 1980s they always played well against the defending Super Bowl Champions. In 1988, they won convincingly over the Washington Redskins 34-14. The previous year they played New York on opening night. Billed as the NFC Title game that never happened, the Giants were no match and were steamrolled by the Bears 34-19 on opening weekend. In 1985, they dispatched defending champion San Francisco 26-10, pushing their record to 6-0.

On the first Sunday in November, the Bears played host to the Los Angeles Raiders (the franchise had moved from Oakland before the 82 season). The Raiders, defending Super Bowl Champions, came into Week 10 boasting a 7-2 record. Chicago, a team with just one winning season over the last six seasons, was 6-3. The game drew NBC Sports’ top announcing team, Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen.

This game was big. The fans were jacked up. So much so, they gave the defense a standing ovation after holding the Raiders to a three-and-out on the very first series. On the Raiders’ second possession, their QB, Marc Wilson was leveled by LB Otis Wilson, forcing him out of the game. It was ONLY the first time Wilson had to leave the game.

The Bears’ defense was relentless. Raiders’ QBs were sacked NINE times and Chicago’s 46 defense forced FOUR fumbles, recovering two. They also had three interceptions on the day!

Backup QB David Humm entered the game and was promptly sacked and fumbled in his first possession. The first turnover of the game did not result in any points however as the Bears failed to pick up a first down on 4th and one deep in L.A.’s territory.

Marc Wilson returned to the huddle late in the first quarter, but his return to the field didn’t last long. Just four plays after returning, Steve McMichael hit Wilson’s hand as he threw a pass. The ball floated aimlessly into the waiting hands of Les Frazier. He returned the interception to the L.A. 17 and Walter Payton scored his second game TD a few plays later.

David Humm, who was not on the roster when the season began returned to the lineup. He was knocked silly on this possession, and trainers were seen checking Humm’s teeth after he made it to the sideline. But after a McMahon interception gave the ball back to L. A. late in the half, the QB was back in the huddle. Immediately, Humm was drilled by Jim Osborne, knocking him out of the game.

This game was so brutal, the Raiders had to turn to their emergency QB, punter Ray Guy. Seeing what happened to his teammates, Guy refused to enter the game!

Marc Wilson, who had suffered a concussion and what was revealed to be a fractured thumb HAD to return to the game. Wilson was in the locker room getting his thumb X-Rayed when Humm was leveled. He returned to the game but was not effective. A Raiders Field goal closed out the half with the Bears leading 14-3.

Just before McMahon’s interception late in the first half, the QB took a vicious hit. He came out to start the second half but took himself out of the game after beginning the first drive. After sitting on the bench in obvious pain he went to the Bears locker room. NBC’s Merlin Olsen reported the injury was a bruised back, in reality, the Bears QB suffered a lacerated kidney.

McMahon would end up in the hospital for two weeks and didn’t play again in 1984. Marc Wilson, despite his injuries, was forced to finish the game. David Humm blew his knee out in the second quarter and never played another down in the NFL.

The Bears won the game 17-6 but the brutality of the game has lived on. This game has been talked about now for almost 40 years. We will never witness such brutality in a game again. With today’s emphasis on player safety, Marc Wilson would have been properly diagnosed with a concussion and never would have been allowed back in the game.

Coach Ditka called it the “most brutal game I’ve ever watched.”

It was a war out there that day.