1985 Bears Coverage: Mike Ditka doesn't like NFL rule

Every day of the 2015 Chicago Bears season, Chicago Sun-Times Sports will revisit its coverage 30 years ago during the 1985 Bears’ run to a Super Bowl title.

Mike Ditka doesn’t like NFL rule

Kevin Lamb

Originally published Sept. 18, 1985

Coach Mike Ditka doesn’t like the league rule that requires the Bears to be in Minneapolis by tonight for their game tomorrow night. “No question in my mind I’d rather go up on Thursday,” he said. “It’s hard to understand why they make you go in early for a game like this. I don’t make those rules. I guess you have to be in there 24 hours before the game, and if you don’t show up, you have to guarantee the gate.”

Ditka said Willie Gault and Dennis Gentry would be the kickoff returners. Dave Duerson probably will return punts, but Ditka didn’t rule out Dennis McKinnon, still coming back from July knee surgery. “We’ve got to have somebody back there who can hold onto the football,” he said. Minnesota has forced fumbles on two kick returns.

The Bears are the only NFL team ranked in the top six in both offense (sixth) and defense (fifth). Their lowest ranking is ninth in passing offense.

The NFC Central Division is tied with the AFC West for the best combined record in the NFL: 7-3.