Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Have the Bears ever stayed at Halas Hall for training camp or have they always held it out of town?
Gary T.
Merrillville, Indiana
Since 1933, the Bears have hit the road for training camp for all but nine years. They became the first NFL team to conduct camp out of town in 1933 when they prepared for the season at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. They followed by holding camp at Lane Tech High School in Chicago (1934), St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wis. (1935-43) and St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind. (1944-74). The Bears then stayed home for camp at the old Halas Hall in Lake Forest—which is about four miles east of their current state-of-the-art facility—from 1975-83. They followed by moving camp to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (1984-2001) and then to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais (2002-present).
I recently read something about a $1 million winner-take-all race between NFL players. Did anyone from the Bears participate in that?
Aaron K.
Algonquin, Illinois
The event you're referring was held in late June in South Florida. It was called the 40 Yards of Gold tournament and it was hosted by former NFL receiver Chad Johnson, among others. It featured 16 of the league's fastest players running 40-yard dashes against each other in a bracket-style tournament. The only Bears player to participate was defensive back John Franklin III, and he nearly won the $1 million prize. Franklin lost to eventual champion Marquise Goodwin, a receiver with the 49ers, by a very narrow margin in the semifinals. Goodwin then beat Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson in the final.
I know that Matt Nagy's 12 wins were the most ever by a Bears coach in his first season. What are the most wins a Bears coach has ever had in his second year?
Bryan F.
Kettering, Ohio
Lovie Smith's 11 victories in 2005 are the most by a Bears coach in his second season. Smith led the team to the NFC North title that year before losing in the divisional playoffs to the Panthers at Soldier Field.
