ROSEMONT, Ill. – At the start of their panel discussion Saturday at the Bears100 Celebration, Jim McMahon presented Mitchell Trubisky with a headband and a pair of sunglasses.
It was a symbolic passing of the torch from one Bears Pro Bowl quarterback to another that delighted the fans in attendance at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
"I had no idea he was going to do that," said Trubisky, who wore the punky QB's signature headband and sunglasses for the rest of the hourlong session. "That was awesome. I've learned a lot over the last couple days just talking to him, learning about him and his teammates. It's been really cool. He was the last Bears quarterback to win a Super Bowl and obviously that's what I aspire to do."
During his panel with McMahon, Trubisky told a story about a pre-draft dinner he had with general manager Ryan Pace in North Carolina in 2017. The Bears wanted to keep their interest in Trubisky a secret, so the quarterback made the restaurant reservation under the name "James McMahon" to honor the Super Bowl XX champion.
"He really did in a way help bring me to Chicago," Trubisky said of McMahon. "I think Ryan Pace and the staff really liked that. It was like it was meant to be. I'm right where I'm supposed to be. It really feels like that."
The Bears are commemorating their 100th season by celebrating their illustrious history as well as their promising future this weekend in Rosemont. The entire 2019 team is on hand for the festivities along with about 130 alumni.
Before Friday night's electric opening ceremonies, players from the last six decades of Bears football mingled in a private ballroom.
"It's very unique," Trubisky said. "Just being on the present Bears, it's a special privilege to be able to interact with some of the guys and having everyone come back and just feeling that tradition. It really is a Bears family."
Trubisky has enjoyed getting to know McMahon, who compiled a 46-15 record as a starter during seven seasons with the Bears from 1982-88.
"There are certain traits you've got to have to be able to play quarterback in the city of Chicago and have success doing it," Trubisky said. "He knew how to win games. They had great teams. He's a hilarious dude. Everyone knows his personality. He's awesome."
One highlight for Trubisky this weekend has been hearing former players discuss "how much love they have for the city of Chicago and even more so for each other and how those relationships go beyond the game of football and last a lifetime."
Several alumni have told Trubisky how thrilled they were to see the Bears go from worst-to-first and win the NFC North with a 12-4 record last season.
"I think the coolest thing is they're watching us," Trubisky said. "Guys who we looked up to and who we idolized and wanted to be just like, they're excited for us and they're proud of what we accomplished last year.
"That just motivates us even more to want to go out there and win games. You want to play for more than yourself—this great organization and the players that came before you. So we've got to just continue to work hard, play tough football and leave it all on the line. "
Check out exclusive photos from the opening night of the Bears100 Celebration Weekend including Orange Carpet and backstage photos with former and current Bears players.


Tarik Cohen on the Orange Carpet

Richard Dent on the Orange Carpet

Jim McMahon is interviewed on the Orange Carpet by Lauren Screeden and Spice Adams

James "Big Cat" Williams on the Orange Carpet

Coach Nagy talks with Spice Adams on the Orange Carpet

Brian Baschnagel on the Orange Carpet

Devin Hester on the Orange Carpet

Richard Dent on the Orange Carpet

Matt Nagy and Jarrett Payton on the Orange Carpet

Mike Ditka interviewed by Lauren Screeden and Spice Adams on the Orange Carpet

Mitchell Trubisky on the Orange Carpet

William "The Fridge" Perry on the Orange Carpet

Jim McMahon on the Orange Carpet

George McCaskey on the Orange Carpet

Mike Singletary and Otis Wilson on the Orange Carpet

Olin Kreutz on the Orange Carpet

Mike Ditka interviewed on the Orange Carpet

Eddie Jackson on the Orange Carpet

Danny Trevathan interviewed by Lauren Screeden and Spice Adams on the Orange Carpet

Roberto Garza on the Orange Carpet

Israel Idonije

Khalil Mack on the Orange Carpet

Danny Trevathan on the Orange Carpet



Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer

Viriginia Halas McCaskey during the Opening Ceremony

The Payton family during the Opening Ceremony

Bears Alumni from the 1960s at the Opening Ceremony

Bears alumni from the 1970s at the Opening Ceremony

Dan Hampton and Richard Dent at the Opening Ceremony

Bears Alumni from the 1990s at the Opening Ceremony

Richard Dent and Dan Hampton at the Opening Ceremony

Zach Miller and Matt Forte at the Opening Ceremony

Bears alumni from the 2000s at the Opening Ceremony

Devin Hester at the Opening Ceremony

Charles Tillman at the Opening Ceremony

Jeff Joniak, Matt Nagy, and Tom Thayer at the Opening Ceremony



Bears alumni from the 2010s at the Opening Ceremony

Jeff Joniak, Matt Forte, and Tom Thayer at the Opening Ceremony

Mike Singletary, Mike Ditka, Dick Butkus, Dan Hampton, and Richard Dent at the Opening Ceremony

Matt Suhey and Jim McMahon

Charles London, David Montgomery, Jarrett Payton, and Brad Childress

Steve McMichael and Chuck Pagano

Dan Hampton and Mike Ditka

Leonard Floyd, Richard Dent, and Willie Gault

Ryan Pace, Mike Ditka, and Matt Nagy

Eddie Jackson, Mike Singletary, and Tarik Cohen

Matt Nagy and Dick Butkus

Richard Dent and Khalil Mack

Ken Taylor, Mike Ditka, Tyrone Keys, Mike Adamle

Matt Nagy and Mike Ditka

Dick Butkus and Steve McMichael

Ryan Pace and Front Office staff at the Opening Ceremony

Matt Nagy and the coaching staff at the Opening Ceremony

Prince Amukamara at the Opening Ceremony

Mitchell Trubisky at the Opening Ceremony

Bilal Nichols

Akiem Hicks at the Opening Ceremony

Roquan Smith

Tarik Cohen at the Opening Ceremony

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Danny Trevathan

Kyle Fuller in the new Bears classic jersey at the Opening Ceremony



Akiem Hicks

Eddie Jackson