1988 Chicago Bears season
Encyclopedia
The 1988 Chicago Bears
season was their 69th regular season
and 19th postseason
completed in the National Football League
. The club posted a 12-4 record, winning the NFC Central for the fifth straight season, but lost in the NFC Championship Game. Coach Mike Ditka
suffered a heart attack during the season, but was back on the sidelines 11 days later. Ditka was named coach of the year for the second time in his career. During the offseason, the Bears traded quarterback Jim McMahon
to the San Diego Chargers
.
in the Fog Bowl
, earning their first postseason victory since Super Bowl XX
. A week later, Chicago was routed 28-3 by the San Francisco 49ers
. This was the Bears' last appearance in the NFC Championship Game until 2006
.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was their 69th regular season
Regular season (NFL)
The National Football League regular season begins the weekend after Labor Day. Each team plays 16 games during a 17-week period. Traditionally, the majority of each week's games are played on Sunday afternoon, with weekly games on Sunday night and Monday night, and occasional games on Thursday...
and 19th postseason
NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs are a single-elimination tournament held at the end of the regular season to determine the NFL champion. Six teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records, and a tie-breaking procedure exists in the...
completed in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The club posted a 12-4 record, winning the NFC Central for the fifth straight season, but lost in the NFC Championship Game. Coach Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
suffered a heart attack during the season, but was back on the sidelines 11 days later. Ditka was named coach of the year for the second time in his career. During the offseason, the Bears traded quarterback Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon
James Robert "Jim" McMahon, Jr. is a former American football player. He played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a two-time All-American and later in the professional ranks with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona...
to the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Roster
| Chicago Bears 1988 roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Kurt Becker Kurt Frank Becker is a former professional American football player who played guard for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams. An offensive guard at the University of Michigan, Becker started in 36 consecutive games... G Mark Bortz Mark Steven Bortz was a guard in the National Football League. He attended the University of Iowa and was drafted by the Bears in 1983 for the Chicago Bears and played there until 1994.-Professional career:... G Jim Covert James Paul "Jimbo" Covert is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Institute for Transfusion Medicine and a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears.-High school:Covert excelled in both football and wrestling at Freedom Area High... T Jay Hilgenberg Jay Walter Hilgenberg is a former American football player in the NFL. He played center for the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints from 1981 to 1993.-Football career:... C Tom Thayer Thomas "Tom" Allen Thayer is a former American-football center/guard. He played in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins. He won a Super Bowl as a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears... G Keith Van Horne Keith Van Horne is a retired American football tackle.-High school:Keith attended Fullerton High School, Fullerton, California.His Fullerton football varsity team mate was future NFL... T John Wojciechowski John Wojciechowski is a former professional American football player who played tackle for seven seasons for the Chicago Bears. Today John Wojiciechowski teaches gym and strength training at Fitzgerald High school in Warren Michigan.... T Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Greg Clark Rt. Hon. Gregory David Clark is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells since 2005. Clark is currently a Minister of State in the Department for Communities and Local Government, with responsibility for overseeing decentralisation, a key... LB Troy Johnson Troy Johnson is an American gospel and soul singer. He got his first break with a track on the Blame it on Rio soundtrack in 1984, and signed to Motown Records, where he released his first album. He scored a hit in 1986 with "It's You", which peaked at #65 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart.... LB Dante Jones Dante Jones is a former linebacker in the NFL who played for the Chicago Bears from 1988–1994 and Denver Broncos in 1995. As a Sooner, Jones was an All Big 8 selection at linebacker in 1987.He is from Skyline High School in Dallas, TX, Class of 1983.... MLB Jim Morrissey Jim Morrissey is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and one with the Green Bay Packers. He was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX following the 1985 NFL season. He was also a member of the "Shuffling Crew" in... OLB Mickey Pruitt Mickey Pruitt Mickey Pruitt Mickey Pruitt (born January 10, 1965 in Bamberg, South Carolina is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for five seasons for the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys.... LB Ron Rivera Ronald Eugene Rivera is the head coach of the NFL's Carolina Panthers. Rivera was a linebacker on the 1985 Chicago Bears, who won Super Bowl XX. Rivera was the defensive coordinator for the 2006 Chicago Bears, who won the National Football Conference championship and competed in Super Bowl XLI... OLB Mike Singletary Michael "Mike" Singletary is an American football coach and former professional football player. He is currently the linebacker coach and assistant head coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.... MLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
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1988 Chicago Bears draft choices
| Round | Pick | Name | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 | Brad Muster Brad Muster Brad William Muster is a former American football fullback in the NFL for the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints from 1988 to 1994.Muster prepped at San Marin High School in Novato, CA, graduating in 1983.... |
FB | Stanford Stanford Cardinal football The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The... |
| 1 | 27 | Wendell Davis Wendell Davis Wendell Tyrone Davis is a former professional American football wide receiver who played for the Chicago Bears for six seasons from 1988 to 1993. He was selected by the Bears in the 1st round in the 1988 NFL Draft... |
WR | LSU LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as... |
| 2 | 51 | Dante Jones Dante Jones Dante Jones is a former linebacker in the NFL who played for the Chicago Bears from 1988–1994 and Denver Broncos in 1995. As a Sooner, Jones was an All Big 8 selection at linebacker in 1987.He is from Skyline High School in Dallas, TX, Class of 1983.... |
LB | Oklahoma |
| 3 | 78 | Ralph Jarvis | DE | Temple Temple Owls football The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference... |
| 4 | 105 | James Thornton James Thornton (tight end) James Michael Thornton is a former professional American football player who played tight end for seven seasons for the Chicago Bears, the New York Jets, and the Houston Oilers. He was given the nickname of "RoboCop" because of his physique.-External links:**... |
TE | Cal State-Fullerton Cal State Fullerton Titans football The Cal State Fullerton Titans football team represented California State University, Fullerton from the 1970 through 1992 seasons. The Titans originally competed as a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association from 1970-1973 before moving to the Pacific Coast Athletic Association in... |
| 5 | 133 | Troy A. Johnson | DB | Oklahoma Oklahoma Sooners football The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
| 6 | 161 | Lemuel Stinson Lemuel Stinson Lemuel Stinson is a former professional American football cornerback who played five seasons for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.... |
CB | Texas Tech Texas Tech Red Raiders football Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
| 7 | 189 | Caesar Rentie | T | Oklahoma Oklahoma Sooners football The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
| 8 | 208 | David Tate | DB | Colorado Colorado Buffaloes football The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,... |
| 8 | 217 | Harvey Reed | RB | Howard Howard Bison football The Howard Bison are the college football team representing the Howard University. The Bison play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.-Alumni in the NFL:... |
| 9 | 245 | Rogie Magee | WR | LSU LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as... |
| 10 | 273 | Joel Porter Joel Porter Joel William Porter is an Australian football player who plays as a striker for the Hyundai A-League team Gold Coast United... |
G | Baylor Baylor Bears football The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:... |
| 11 | 301 | Steve Forch | LB | Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... |
| 12 | 329 | Greg Clark Greg Clark Rt. Hon. Gregory David Clark is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells since 2005. Clark is currently a Minister of State in the Department for Communities and Local Government, with responsibility for overseeing decentralisation, a key... |
LB | Arizona State Arizona State Sun Devils football The Arizona State Sun Devils' football program represents Arizona State University in college football, and competes in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Pacific-12 Conference.... |
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 4, 1988 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 34-7 | |
| 2 | September 11, 1988 | at Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
W 17-13 | |
| 3 | September 18, 1988 | Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
L 31-7 | |
| 4 | September 25, 1988 | at Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
W 24-6 | |
| 5 | October 2, 1988 | Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 24-3 | |
| 6 | October 9, 1988 | at Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
W 24-7 | |
| 7 | October 16, 1988 | Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
W 17-7 | |
| 8 | October 24, 1988 | San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
W 10-9 | |
| 9 | October 30, 1988 | at New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
L 30-7 | |
| 10 | November 6, 1988 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
W 28-10 | |
| 11 | November 13, 1988 | at Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
W 34-14 | |
| 12 | November 20, 1988 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
W 27-15 | |
| 13 | November 27, 1988 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
W 16-0 | |
| 14 | December 5, 1988 | at Los Angeles Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... |
L 23-3 | |
| 15 | December 11, 1988 | Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
W 13-12 | |
| 16 | December 19, 1988 | at Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
L 28-27 | |
Standings
| NFC Central | ||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 312 | 215 |
| Minnesota Vikings 1988 Minnesota Vikings season -Schedule:-Postseason:*12/26 LA Rams W 28-17 *1/1 at San Francisco L 9-34 -Standings:-NFC Divisional Playoff:-References:* *... |
11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 406 | 233 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1988 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season The 1988 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the team's first full, non-strike season under head coach Ray Perkins. Perkins had by now rebuilt the Buccaneers as the NFL's youngest team, having replaced so many veterans that leadership became an issue. A strong draft produced several starters, including... |
5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 261 | 350 |
| Detroit Lions 1988 Detroit Lions season The 1988 Detroit Lions season was the 59th season in franchise history. Darryl Rogers was released after 11 games and was replaced by Wayne Fontes.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:-References:***... |
4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 220 | 313 |
| Green Bay Packers 1988 Green Bay Packers season The 1988 Green Bay Packers season was their 68th season in the National Football League. The club posted a 4–12 record under coach Lindy Infante, earning them a fifth-place finish in the NFC Central division... |
4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 240 | 315 |
Playoffs
In the divisional playoffs, the Bears defeated the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the Fog Bowl
Fog Bowl (American football)
In American football, the Fog Bowl was the name given to the December 31, 1988 National Football League playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears. A heavy, dense fog rolled over Chicago's Soldier Field during the 2nd quarter, cutting visibility to about 10-20 yards for the...
, earning their first postseason victory since Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX was an American football championship game played on January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1985 regular season...
. A week later, Chicago was routed 28-3 by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. This was the Bears' last appearance in the NFC Championship Game until 2006
2006 Chicago Bears season
The 2006 Chicago Bears season was their 87th regular season and 25th post-season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 13-3 regular season record, the best in the NFC, improving on their previous year’s record of 11-5...
.