Quick Facts with The U: Chicago Bears

Today's quick facts I look at one of the most storied teams in NFL history - the Chicago Bears.

1. Prior to 1922, the Chicago Bears were known as the Decatur Staleys. In the Staleys' first NFL - then known as the APFC -  season in 1920, the team started the year 9-0-1. Their first loss that season would come from another Chicago team, the Chicago Cardinals. The Staleys, (now the Chicago Bears) and the Cardinals (now in Arizona), are the only two teams that remain from the original 14 teams that competed in the APFC.
   
   
2. The Bears have retired an NFL record 14 numbers in their team's existence. The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers are tied for second with 12 each. Here's a look at the Bears' retired numbers.
   Bronko Nagurski #3  
   George McAfee #5   
   George Halas #7
   Willie Galimore #28
   Walter Payton #34
   Gale Sayers #40
   Brian Piccolo #41
   Sid Luckman #42
   Dick Butkus #51
   Bill Hewitt #56
   Bill George #61
   Bulldog Turner #66
   Red Grange #77
   Mike Ditka #89
   
   
3. In 1925, Grange signed a deal worth $100,00 per season. To give you an idea how much this was, players back then were getting paid anywhere between $25-100 a game. Grange was making over $5,200 per game!
   
   
4. After finishing the 2012 season ranked top-5 on defense for both points allowed (3) and yards allowed (5), the Bears finished the 2013 season ranked 30th in both categories. It was the the worst ranking for a Bears' defense for points allowed in a season in the team's 93-years of being part of the NFL.
   
   
5. Since joining Chicago, Jay Cutler has only started 16 games once in a season. That year happened to be his first season in 2009.
   
   
6. From 1921-70, the Bears called Wrigley Field home. The NFL would force the Bears to play somewhere else since Wrigley's seating capacity at the time was 47,000, which included portable stands that created 9,000 more seats.
   
   
7. While the 1983 NFL Draft may be recalled at the greatest in NFL history - John Elway pick #1 and Dan Marino pick #2 - the 1965 draft may arguably be the Bears greatest to date. With picks three and four in the first round, Chicago drafted two future Hall of Famers - Dick Butkus (3) and Gale Sayers (4).
   
   

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