The Chicago Bears' franchise is genuinely one of the most historic in NFL history. There have been plenty of memorable seasons, but there have been some less-than-desirable ones as well.
If anyone were to ask a Bears fan which season is considered the worst of all time, it would easily be answered with 1969. It was a season that had some star power, but a few superstars weren't enough to save their year.
How bad was the 1969 season? The wins weren't coming on the field, and the sad story that unfolded off the field added to a bad year in Chicago.
Recapping a disastrous 1969 Chicago Bears season
Bears head coach Jim Dooley was entering his second season as the head coach after the team put together a respectable 7-7 record in 1968. Dooley had some lovely pieces to work with two future Hall of Famers on the roster: running back Gale Sayers and linebacker Dick Butkus.
So, how did the 1969 season begins for the Bears? It was seven consecutive losses by a combined score of 149-69. They were shut out twice and scored just seven points two other times.
There was one shining moment in the season during their eighth game of the year against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where the Bears won 38-7. It was the first and only time that season Chicago would score over 38 points, and seven was the fewest points allowed all season—a truly dominating performance.
That joy ended quickly as the Bears lost six straight games to close the season, scoring just six total points in their last two contests. They finished the season with an embarrassing 1-13 record and one unbelievable stat to point out: 27 total offensive points scored in six divisional games.
Chicago had three different starting quarterbacks in 1969, but it was the Sayers show, as he incredibly still led the NFL in rushing attempts (236) and rushing yards (1,032), while adding eight touchdowns. He was selected for the Pro Bowl and a first-team All-Pro. Butkus was the only other Pro Bowler on the roster for Chicago.
A tragic part about 1969 was that this was fullback Brian Piccolo's final season in the NFL before his cancer diagnosis. Piccolo would pass away in June of 1970 at the age of 26. This would ultimately become part of the story of the 1971 film Brian's Song, which chronicles Piccolo and Sayers' friendship and Piccolo's tragic passing.
The football side of the season was bad, but the Piccolo side of the story makes this season a tragic end. Forgetting the on-field part of 1969, Chicago got to see how great people Piccolo and Sayers were through the tragedy, and it served as a reminder to everyone that there is more to life than football.
Read more: How the Bears' worst coach ever was also one of the funniest guys in NFL history
A forgettable season on the field created an unforgettable story off the field, one that brought everyone together, regardless of their skin color.
