Staley Da Bear
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- Mar 16, 2019
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With the NFL set to celebrate its 100th birthday on Sept. 17, 2020, here's a look at what transpired this week in Bears history:
In 2017, the Bears signed fourth-round draft pick Tarik Cohen, a running back from North Carolina A&T, to a four-year contract. Cohen has appeared in 48 games with 22 starts over three seasons, rushing for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns on 250 carries and catching 203 passes for 1,534 yards and nine TDs. He has also averaged 20.9 yards on 30 kickoff returns and 10.5 yards on 95 punt returns with one touchdown. Cohen was named first-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl as a punt returner in 2018.
In 1977, Bears receivers coach Mike Furrey was born. He is entering his third season on Matt Nagy's staff. As a player, Furrey appeared in 94 NFL games with 41 starts over seven seasons with the Rams (2003-05), Lions (2006-08) and Browns (2009). Furrey played on both sides of the ball during his career. As a safety with the Rams in 2005, he recorded four interceptions, returning one 67 yards for a touchdown. As a receiver with the Lions in 2006, he caught 98 passes for 1,086 yards and six TDs.
In 1936, former defensive end Bob Kilcullen was born. Selected by the Bears in the eighth round of the 1957 draft out of Texas Tech, he played his entire 10-year NFL career in Chicago, appearing in 104 games with 56 starts. Kilcullen helped the Bears win the 1963 NFL championship, starting 12 of 14 games played. In 1991, he presented long-time teammate Stan Jones for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kilcullen passed away on Aug. 24, 2019 at the age of 83.
In 1998, former defensive tackle Bill Bishop passed away at the age of 67. Selected by the Bears in the eighth round of the 1952 draft out of North Texas, he spent nine seasons with the Bears from 1952-60, appearing in 107 games with 103 starts. Bishop was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1954. He scored his only NFL touchdown on Nov. 9, 1958 when he recovered a fumble in the end zone in a 24-10 win over the Packers at Wrigley Field.
In 1918, former receiver John Siegal was born. He spent his entire five-year NFL career with the Bears from 1939-43, catching 31 passes for 637 yards and six touchdowns while appearing in 43 games with 16 starts. Siegal was selected to three Pro Bowls and helped the Bears win three NFL championships in 1940, 1941 and 1943. He played in the Bears' historic 73-0 win over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 title game. Siegal had been the oldest living Bears player until his death on May 27, 2015 at the age of 97.
In 1963, former quarterback Bernie Masterson passed away at the age of 51. He played his entire seven-year NFL career with the Bears from 1934-40, appearing in 72 games with 37 starts. He threw for 3,366 yards with 34 touchdowns and 38 interceptions. Masterson was a member of the 1940 NFL championship team, playing in seven games with two starts.
In 1969, the Bears traded safety Richie Petitbon to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for cornerback Lee Calland, a 1970 fourth-round pick they spent on linebacker Ross Brupbacher and a 1971 third-round choice they used to choose guard Bob Newton.