Classic Moments in Bears-Packers Rivalry: Don Majkowski Replay Game
This is one of the most memorable game in the Bears-Packers rivalry, and not for a good reason if you’re a Bears fan.
Before there was Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre, there was Don Majkowski. On November 5, 1989 with the Bears up 13-7 late in the 4th quarter and the Packers down to a 4th and goal from the 14 yard line, Don Majkowski fired a pass to Sterling Sharpe for an apparent touchdown. Referees on the field threw a penalty flag for an illegal forward pass for throwing the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. In the first year of instant replay, the booth reviewed the call. See how it turned out after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HscrMo8Tk6Y
The abooth overturned the call, handing the Packers a gift touchdown and a victory. The Lambeau crowd went nuts as that snapped the Packers’ losing streak against the Bears going back to 1984. It also sent the teams in opposite directions, as the Ditka-led Bears finished the season 1-6 and out of the playoffs for the first time since 1983.
The overturned call so outraged Coach Ditka that the Chicago Bears media guide had that games marked as * Instant Replay Game.