On This Day In Bears History, December 7, 1980: Bears Destroy Green Bay 61-7
After a bizarre ending to the season opener when the Packers scored in overtime after a blocked field goal bounced back in the arms of kicker Chester Marcol, who ran around the left end for a game-winning score, the rematch in Chicago, on December 7, 1980, had a far different outcome.
The Bears blasted Green Bay 61-7 at Soldier Field. QB Vince Evans was 18-22 for 316 yards and 3 TDs (a perfect QB rating of 158.33). Walter Payton added 130 yards rushing, 11 yards receiving, and 3 TDs, in the most lopsided game in the history of the rivalry.
It was unseasonably warm on this Sunday afternoon, The temperature at kickoff was 56 degrees. A heavy rain the night before made the Astro Turf soggy at Soldier Field.
After a scoreless first quarter, Walter Payton’s one-yard touchdown started the scoring three plays into the second stanza with a goal-line leap. Chicago would score four TDs to take a 28-7 lead at halftime.
Bears QB Vince Evans threw two 3rd quarter touchdowns, a nine-yard toss to Robin Earl and a 53-yard strike to Rickey Watts. The Bears’ lead swelled to 41-7 after 3 periods.
Chicago would add three more touchdowns in the 4th quarter. A 14-yard run by Walter Payton, his third TD on the day, started the scoring in the 4th. Len Walterschied intercepted a David Whitehurst pass and scored from 36 yards out. Backup RB Willie McClendon capped the onslaught with a one-yard TD.
Final score: Bears 61, Green Bay 7! You can see the game on YouTube by clicking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdXUFy1ucoQ&t=22s
News and Notes
Wednesday’s Injury Report was a welcome sight of four players listed, all but Noah Sewell were all full participants. Larry Borom (illness), D’Onta Foreman (ankle), and Tyrique Stevenson (ankle) rounded out the injury report. Sewell (knee) was limited.
Earlier this week, the Bears announced Justin Jones was nominated for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
According to sources, former Bears’ kicker Robbie Gould announced his retirement.