5 things you might hear a Chicago Bears fan say

Monsters of the Midway

Another popular saying often used in regards to the Chicago Bears is “Monsters of the Midway”. Many think this nickname came about in the 1980s with the heralded 1985 defense. Others think it goes back to when Dick Butkus was the face of the franchise.

Here’s the thing, this nickname had nothing to do with either of those defenses. In fact, Monsters of the Midway had nothing to do with the Chicago Bears at all until the late 1940s. The nickname came about when the Chicago Maroons were atop the collegiate football world.

For those of you who are not history buffs, the Chicago Maroons were the collegiate football team for The University of Chicago. This dates back to the late 1890s and early 1900s. The Maroons were seven times Big Ten title holders under the coaching prowess of Amos Alonzo Stagg and the team was given the nickname of Monsters of the Midway.

Now, for those of you still thinking Midway has something to do with the Midway Airport, you would be mistaken. The University of Chicago is located in Hyde Park. At that time, the Chicago Maroons played a few blocks from the Midway Plaisance. Thus where the nickname Monsters of the Midway came into play. Well, in the late 1930s the University stepped away from football and the Maroons were no more.

At that point, the Chicago Bears of the NFL became the household football team and somehow the name switched over to them. It should be noted, the C on the Chicago Bears helmet is almost an exact replica of the Chicago Maroons logo. How original.

One last tidbit of information to share on this. In 1935, the star player of the Chicago Maroons, Jay Berwanger won the first Heisman Award. He was also drafted first overall by the Philadelphia Eagles, traded to the Chicago Bears, but never played a down in the NFL because George Halas and he could not settle on a salary.

The two were about $1,500 apart in their negotiations. Crazy how little these guys made back then compared to now. George Halas’ final offer to Berwanger was $13,500. Berwanger wanted $15,000 and later reported he regrets choosing to work at a rubber company opposed to taking Halas’ offer.

Looking back at the Bears and their heralded defenses, Monsters of the Midway makes complete sense despite the origin not having anything to do with them.