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This month in Bears history | May
With the NFL set to celebrate its 100th birthday on Sept. 17, 2020, here's a look at what transpired during the month of May in Bears history.
May 1, 1984
The Bears selected linebackers Wilber Marshall (pictured) and Ron Rivera in the first two rounds of the draft and acquired quarterback Steve Fuller in a trade. All three players were part of the 1985 Super Bowl championship team.
May 1, 1984
The Bears selected linebackers Wilber Marshall and Ron Rivera (pictured) in the first two rounds of the draft and acquired quarterback Steve Fuller in a trade. All three players were part of the 1985 Super Bowl championship team.
May 1, 1984
The Bears selected linebackers Wilber Marshall and Ron Rivera in the first two rounds of the draft and acquired quarterback Steve Fuller (pictured) in a trade. All three players were part of the 1985 Super Bowl championship team.
May 2, 1908
Joe Zeller was born. He played guard and end for the Bears from 1933 through 1938 and was a member of the 1933 NFL championship team.
May 3, 1956
Cliff Thrift was born. He was a reserve linebacker on the Bears' famed 1985 Super Bowl championship team.
May 4, 1932
Harlon Hill was born. He was selected by the Bears in the 15th round of the 1954 draft and played receiver for the team through 1961. Hill was named NFL rookie of the year and was voted to three Pro Bowls.
May 5, 2011
George H. McCaskey, the son of Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, was named Bears chairman.
May 6, 2015
The Bears signed second-round draft pick Eddie Goldman, a nose tackle from Florida State, to a four-year contract.
May 7, 1936
Bobby Joe Green was born. He was the Bears' punter from 1962 through 1973. He played on the Bears' 1963 championship team.
May 8, 1930
Doug Atkins was born. He played defensive end for the Bears from 1955 through 1966. He played on the Bears' 1963 championship team. He played in eight Pro Bowls. He was All-Pro for the Bears nine times. He made the NFL 1960s All-Decade team. He is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
May 11, 2017
The Bears signed fourth-round draft pick Tarik Cohen, a running back from North Carolina A&T, to a four-year contract.
May 12, 1995
The Bears broke ground for Halas Hall at Conway Park in Lake Forest.
May 13, 1936
Bob Kilcullen was born. He was an eighth-round draft choice of the Bears in 1957. He played defensive end for the Bears from 1957 through 1966. He played on the Bears' 1963 championship team.
May 15, 1918
John Siegal was born. He was a 17th-round draft choice of the Bears in 1939. He played wide receiver for the Bears from 1939 through 1943. He played on the Bears' 1940, 1941, and 1943 championship teams.
May 21, 1940
Ed O'Bradovich was born. He was a seventh-round draft choice of the Bears in 1962. He played defensive end for the Bears from 1962 through 1971. He played on the Bears' 1963 championship team.
May 22, 1980
Jason McKie was born. He played fullback for the Bears from 2003 through 2009. He was on the Bears team that won the NFC championship in 2006.
May 24, 1919
George Halas was on the Yankees when they beat White Sox.
May 25, 1978
Hall of Famers Brian Urlacher was born. He was a first-round draft choice of the Bears in 2000. He played middle linebacker for the Bears from 2000 through 2012. He was the NFL defensive rookie of the year. He was the NFL defensive player of the year in 2005. He played in eight Pro Bowls.
May 27, 1968
George Halas retired from coaching after 40 seasons with 324 wins, 151 defeats, and 31 ties. His 324 wins were the most in NFL history at the time, a record that was later surpassed by Don Shula.
May 29, 2009
The Bears signed defensive lineman Israel Idonije to a two-year contract.
May 30, 1943
Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers was born. He was a first-round draft choice of the Bears in 1965. He played for the Bears from 1965 through 1971. He played in four Pro Bowls. He was All-Pro five times. He made the NFL 1960s All-Decade team. His Bears' number, 40, is retired.
