The Bears will sport a new old look when they host the New York Giants Sunday at Soldier Field, wearing 1960s-era helmets with a white "C" and a gray facemask.
The Bears donned those helmets from 1962-72 before orange trim was added to the "C." They won the NFL championship in 1963 with the white "C" on their helmets, defeating the same Giants 14-10 at Wrigley Field. The Bears' best players from that era were Hall of Famers Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers, who were selected with back-to-back picks in the first round of the 1965 draft.
"I think a lot of Bears fans remember the '60s, especially the '63 championship team winning at Wrigley against the Giants with those 'Cs' on our helmet," said chairman George H. McCaskey. "And of course Butkus and Sayers and all the great memories they provided. That small change I think means a lot to people."
Sunday will mark the one and only time the Bears wear the helmets with the white "C" and gray facemask. Because teams are only allowed to wear their traditional, throwback and classic uniforms, the Bears had to ask the NFL if they could don helmets with the white "C" against the Giants.
"We've got to go to the league for permission," McCaskey said. "They have to sign off on everything. They gave us permission to do this and we're excited about it."
In celebration of their 100th season, the Bears are honoring a different decade at each home game this year. Sunday's contest will celebrate the 1960s. Bobbleheads of Butkus and Sayers will be given to 20,000 fans attending the game.
