On Nov. 28, 1980, Bears fans were thankful for Dave Williams.
The running back returned the opening kickoff of overtime 95 yards to beat the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving day.
Williams’ return capped one of the most impressive comebacks in franchise history, and the shortest overtime period in NFL history, according to UPI.
The Bears trailed 17-3 at the start of the fourth quarter, but quarterback Vince Evans led an impressive touchdown drive to pull Chicago even as the finals seconds of regulation ticked off the clock.
With six seconds remaining, the Bears faced third-and-goal from the 4-yard line. Evans dropped back to pass, but instead scrambled for a four-yard touchdown run as time expired.
“I just didn’t see what I liked and certainly didn’t want to throw a pick down there,” Evans recalled, via chicagobears.com. “I looked to my left and then sort of looked back to the right. I just saw that hole and my instincts just kicked in and I just did the next best thing.”
Walter Peyton rushed for 123 yards on 18 carries and James Scott had 106 yards on six receptions.
The game spoiled Thanksgiving dinners across the state of Michigan, and provided a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for Chicago as the Bears finished 7-9.
WATCH: Bears beat Lions on Thanksgiving day, 1980
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