The Chicago Bears (who take on the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football, only on NFL Network) are one of the most iconic teams in football history. No, make it sports history! So it should come as no surprise the Bears have also made a large impact in popular culture. Movies, TV and music; there seems to be no medium that has escaped the Bears' touch.
With that in mind, here's a look at the Bears' six most iconic pop-culture moments (with a special nod to Zubaz pants, which, to me, are so Chicago).
And if you're here just to tell me what a dope I am, or how meaningless the Pick Six is, please, don't let the words get in the way; jump to the comments below.
And without further ado ...
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Reality TVThe Bears have avoided "Hard Knocks" and other reality TV pratfalls, but linebacker Brian Urlacher created quite a stir when he invited Paris Hilton to a game a few years back. And, of course, Jay Cutler has been famously linked with Kristin Cavallari; the couple recently had a son together.
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Mike Ditka in "Kicking and Screaming"The Coach famously played himself in this Will Ferrell vehicle, and to be honest, the Ditka 'stache should get its own category. But it's not the only time the Bears have been referenced on the silver screen. There were some great Bears-related moments in "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Remember this exchange from "Ferris"?
Ed Rooney: What's the score?
Pizza Joint Owner: Nothin' nothin'.
Ed Rooney: [not really listening] Who's winning?
Pizza Joint Owner: The Bears.Via IMDB
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Al Bundy sells his soul to the devil to play for the BearsIn season 11 of "Married with Children," perpetual loser Al Bundy sells his soul to play for the Chicago Bears. He leads the Bears to a win in the Super Bowl -- and then immediately dies. With Leather goes into great depth right here if you want to read more. The Bears have also been featured in "Punky Brewster," "According to Jim," and every other TV show that wanted to establish its characters as die-hard Chicagoans.
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"Saturday Night Live"The Bears have enjoyed more success on "Saturday Night Live" than Jay Mohr. Walter Payton (along with Joe Montana, which seems like a random pairing) was one of the best hosts ever on the show (he even danced with the Church Lady). And who can ever forget the Super Fans? This isn't hyperbole; one in every three fantasy leagues features one team known as "Da Bears."
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Super Bowl ShuffleWas it cocky and brash? Of course it was. But it was funny, original and maybe the best example of calling your shot and backing it up. The only downside was that it spurned a bunch of copycat videos (including the horrific "Let's Ram It", because Dieter Brock wasn't enough to force the team to fold in 1994). And it actually reached No. 41 on Billboard's Top 100 chart.
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"Brian's Song" (the original)The story of the late Brian Piccolo started off as a TV movie for ABC, was moved to a theater and eventually became the seminal cinematic moment for every football fan who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, cue the song "Hands of Time" and any male over 30 will instantly start crying. If you're young enough to have only seen the remake, you owe it to yourself to watch the original.
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