| 1969 Chicago Bears season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | George Halas |
| Head coach | Jim Dooley |
| Home field | Wrigley Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 1–13 |
| Division place | 4th Central |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
The 1969 Chicago Bears season was their 50th regular season completed in the National Football League. The team finished with a franchise-worst 1–13 record.[1] This occurred despite the exploits of Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers, who had torn the ligaments in his right knee in November 1968.[2][3] After surgery, he went through a physical rehabilitation program with the help of teammate Brian Piccolo. In 1969, Sayers led the league in rushing once again with 1,032 yards,[1] but lacked his previous speed, and averaged only 4.4 yards per carry. This would also turn out to be Sayers final full season, as he would be on the injured reserve list for the entire 1970 and '71 seasons before finally retiring.
An already poor season was compounded in late November. Undersized fullback Piccolo had scored a touchdown in each of his final three games (November 2, 9, 16),[4][5][6][7] but a persistent cough was diagnosed as cancer and he underwent chest surgery;[8][9] he succumbed to the disease seven months later at age 26.[10][11][12]
The Bears scored a total of only 27 points in 6 division games.
- ^ a b "Lions win; clinch 3rd in West". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. December 22, 1969. p. 2, part 2.
- ^ "Bears beat 49ers, 27-19, but lose Sayers for year". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. November 11, 1968. p. 1, part 2.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Bears down 49ers, 27-19, but lose Sayers for season". Milwaukee Journal. press dispatches. November 11, 1968. p. 12, part 2.
- ^ "Bears errors help Vikings keep lead". Milwaukee Journal. press dispatches. November 3, 1969. p. 13, part 2.
- ^ "Bears end famine by routing Steelers". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press dispatches. November 10, 1969. p. 15, part 2.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Sell, Jack (November 10, 1969). "Steelers 'good' for what ails Bears, 38-7". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 28.
- ^ "Falcons set scoring record of 48 points in rout of Bears". Milwaukee Journal. press dispatches. November 17, 1969. p. 16, part 2.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Cowboys' Morton to undergo surgery". Milwaukee Sentinel. press dispatches. November 25, 1969. p. 1, part 2.
- ^ "Operate on Piccolo". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. November 29, 1968. p. 3, part 2.
- ^ "Cancer fatal to Piccolo of Bears at 26". Milwaukee Journal. press dispatches. June 16, 1970. p. 13, part 2.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Brian Piccolo is dead at 26". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. June 17, 1970. p. 19.
- ^ "Sayers, Halas praise Piccolo's courage". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. June 17, 1970. p. 1-part 2.