1985 Bears Coverage: Fencik wants simple ‘read’

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.

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Fencik wants simple ‘read’

Kevin Lamb

Originally published Aug. 22, 1985

Gary Fencik says he knows how to prevent future standoffs over contract renegotiation.

In addition to signing arcane contract documents, Fencik says, each player should be given a synopsis of his contract “in clear language and in big, bold type.”

At the bottom, the player would sign acknowledgment that he has read the synopsis, that he understands it and that he will not ask to renegotiate.

“Most players don’t really keep up with what’s going on in negotiations,” Fencik said. “I don’t want to know about it. That’s why I hire an agent.”

Another problem in Mike Singletary’s renegotiation dispute with the Bears was he had signed for six years. President Michael McCaskey has said the team would discourage contracts longer than four years, but “in Mike’s case, six years was very important to him.”

Singletary said it was important because he wanted to send a signal to the USFL and the Bears “that I planned to retire with the Bears.” He also thought he had an option to renegotiate.