30 Years Ago, '85 Bears Win Super Bowl XX
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) It was 30 years ago Tuesday that the 1985 Bears reached immortality.
On Jan. 26, 1986, the Chicago Bears pounded the New England Patriots, 46-10, at the New Orleans Super Bowl to win Super Bowl XX, the franchise's first Super Bowl victory.
The Bears finished the regular season nearly unblemished at 15-1, showing their dominance along the way. The sensational season culminated with one of the most lopsided victories in Super Bowl history.
The Patriots struck first with a field goal, but the Bears answered with six points from Kevin Butler. From there, it was all Chicago. Fullback Matt Suhey ran 11 yards for a touchdown at the end of the first quarter, and quarterback Jim McMahon added a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The rout was on from there.
Up 37-3 in the third quarter, coach Mike Ditka elected for William "The Refrigerator" Perry to take it in from a yard out and a seminal Super Bowl moment. Fittingly, the defense had its say, too, when Henry Waechter sacked Steve Grogan in the end zone for a safety.
In the end, the Super Bowl XX final score stated Bears 46, Patriots 10, a score that represented the greatness of one of the NFL's most unstoppable teams.
Now 30 years later, the legends of that team still live on in Chicago. As the Bears chase their first Super Bowl since, that 1985 team stands the test of time.
That Lombardi Trophy sits at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, encased and cherished by the Bears organization. What was accomplished that January day in New Orleans was something truly remarkable. Thirty years later, the '85 Bears are still worth celebrating.
Happy anniversary, Chicago.
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
