Emma: Buddy Ryan, '85 Bears Shared Legacy Together
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) Buddy Ryan, the architect of the great 1985 Bears defense, has left us at the age of 85.
On this sad day for Bears fans and football fans around the country, there will be many lasting memories shared of Ryan. The image of him being hoisted up and carried off the field in New Orleans after the Bears' triumphant Super Bowl XX victory will be shared and cherished by many.
"Buddy was a great, great man, number one, and a great defensive genius," former Bears safety Otis Wilson said on the Mully & Hanley Show on Tuesday morning.
"It's infectious. You love him, and you want to play for a guy like that."
This past winter, ESPN's 30 for 30 brand put together an outstanding documentary on the Bears' legendary 1985 team, which focused on Ryan.
As Ryan's health was in decline, Bears great Mike Singletary returned to Ryan's home to spend time with his former coach. There were many emotions as Ryan and Singletary embraced each other.
Ryan was almost fired by the Bears after the 1981 season. It was a letter from Bears players to George Halas that saved Ryan's job.
"Dear Mr. Halas,
We, the undersigned members of the Bears defensive football team, are concerned about the fate of Buddy Ryan and the other defensive coaches. We feel that if there is to be a change in the coaching staff, Buddy Ryan and his staff should be retained in order to avoid a setback for our defense. We feel that we are a good defensive team and that with their help, we can be a great defensive team in the near future.
Sincerely,
The Chicago Bears Defensive Team."
Nobody could've known then what was to come except maybe just Ryan and those Bears, who would indeed become a great defensive football team -- in fact, perhaps the greatest ever.
Ryan's "46 defense" brought the Bears something historic. Hall of Fame writer Dan Pompei wrote the following -- in which he called the '85 Bears' defense the greatest in football history -- in a March article on Sports on Earth:
"What separated the '85 Bears from the rest is they could beat offenses with overwhelming athleticism as well as with scheme. "I think the Bears were the best because they had a combination of talent and confusion that got you," said Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, who played against the Bears as a member of the Vikings.
"As the season went on, this monster kept getting meaner, wilder and more oppressive. They shut out their first two playoff opponents; then, in a lopsided Super Bowl victory, they had seven sacks, held the Patriots to seven rushing yards and scored nine points. "I've never seen a defense like that in terms of smothering people, not even letting them move the ball, let alone score," said former Colts and Bucs coach Tony Dungy."
Ryan was known by his players for a tough, relentless style, but he had a way of becoming a father figure. Players embraced the coaching because they knew it was best for them, and they embraced the man, too.
Players from Ryan's defenses will recall that he wouldn't even refer to them by name at first -- they were simply numbers to begin with. Yet over time, those relationships became so close.
That letter from the Bears saved Ryan's job back after the 1981 season, and they delivered on their promise to be great four years later in Super Bowl glory.
Three decades later, Ryan wrote a letter back as part of that ESPN 30 for 30. The documentary ends with former Bears coach Mike Ditka and players Singletary, Gary Fencik, Dan Hampton and Steve McMichael getting emotional as they read the letter.
Ryan's legacy lives on with that great 1985 defense.
"To my guys,
In 1981, many of you signed a letter to George Halas that saved my job. Now I'm writing a letter to all of you to say thanks. I wish I could be there to say it in person, but this will have to do.
Thank you to the Super Bowl champion 1985 Chicago Bears, the greatest team in NFL history. You gave me the best memories of my coaching life.
I'll love every one of you until the day I die. I told you this a long time ago, and it's still true.
You guys will always be my heroes.
Coach Buddy Ryan, 46."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
