1985 Bears Coverage: Gault and McKinnon coming off big games

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.

Gault and McKinnon coming off big games

Kevin Lamb

Originally published Sept. 24, 1985

The Bears announced sellouts for their next two home games — Sunday against Washington and Monday Oct. 21 against Green Bay. That gives them nine straight sellouts and means both games will be

televised locally.

When Willie Gault and Dennis McKinnon each gained more than 100 yards receiving at Minnesota, it was the first time since Dec. 6, 1979, the Bears had two receivers in triple figures.

Aside from the more serious injuries to guard Kurt Becker and safety Dave Duerson, the minor casualties coach Mike Ditka listed were kicker Kevin Butler’s strained calf muscle, cornerback-punt returner Ken Taylor’s hip pointer and shoulder bruise and linebacker Cliff Thrift’s shoulder separation. “They’re all going to play,” Ditka said. “They’re tough kids.”

Becker won’t go on the injured reserve list this week even if he needs surgery, Ditka said. Reserve guard Stefan Humphries will be eligible to come off injured reserve next week, and Ditka said he’ll be ready “maybe next week or the week after.” Meanwhile, the active reserve linemen, Tom Andrews and Andy Frederick, will practice out of position at guard this week because the Bears have only two healthy guards.

General manager Jerry Vainisi will substitute for linebacker Mike Singletary at today’s Official Chicago Bears Gridiron Club luncheon at the Oak Brook Marriott. Singletary had been scheduled to speak, but has been ordered to take part in a full day’s practice at the Lake Forest camp.