The '85 Bears Gather In Chicago For World Premiere Of 30 For 30 Film

          • Sarah SpainJan 28, 2016, 08:00 AM ET
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              Sarah Spain (follow her on Twitter @SarahSpain) is the co-host of Spain & Fitz on ESPN Radio, host of the That's What She Said podcast, a SportsCenter reporter and an espnW columnist since 2010. She was a heptathlete at Cornell and is a lifelong Chicago sports fan.
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          The 1985 Chicago Bears. Famous not just for their dominant defense, near-perfect regular season and a 46-10 blowout Super Bowl XX win over the Patriots, but also for their attitude, their swagger and their ability to entertain. From the spitfire coach, Mike Ditka, to the Punky QB, Jim McMahon, "Samurai" Mike Singletary, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, William "The Refrigerator" Perry and the great Walter Payton, the team was full of characters.

          Wednesday night in Chicago, members of the team gathered for the world premiere of the new 30 for 30, "The '85 Bears." Executive Producer Vince Vaughn, a Chicago native, teamed up with Emmy Award-winning director Jason Hehir on the project, which tells the story of arguably the greatest football team of all time. Throughout the movie incredible old photographs and pieces of practice and game tape help move the story along while some of the key players share their memories of the season. There are touching moments, particularly between aging former defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan and Singletary, and plenty of laughs, most coming courtesy of McMichael.

          The film is a joyful look at a talented and beloved group of men and also a beautiful reminder of the brotherhood of an NFL team and the sacrifice required of its players. And, in looking at the death of Dave Duerson and the physical and psychological struggles of McMahon, the very real consequences of a life spent on the gridiron.

          After the film former Bears wide receiver and ESPN's own Tom Waddle led a Q&A with Vaughn, Hehir, McMichael and Singletary, during which Singletary choked up talking about his relationship with Ryan, and McMichael cracked jokes, upstaging even Vaughn with his one-liners. Other members of the '85 team were in attendance, including Gary Fencik, Kevin Butler and Otis Wilson. After the film the party continued on at Timothy O'Tooles Pub down the street. The film premieres Feb. 4 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.