With the NFL set to celebrate its 100th birthday on Sept. 17, 2020, here's a look at what transpired this week in Bears history:
July 13
In 1945, Danny Abramowicz was born. Abramowicz served as Bears special-teams coordinator from 1992 through 1996, spending one season on head coach Mike Ditka's staff before being retained by Dave Wannstedt after Ditka was fired. Before becoming a coach, Abramowicz played nine NFL seasons as a receiver with the Saints (1967-73) and 49ers (1973-74). He was named first-team All-Pro in 1969 after leading the league with 73 receptions for 1,015 yards and seven touchdowns.
July 14
In 1983, the Bears acquired defensive end Tyrone Keys in a trade with the Jets in exchange for a 1985 fifth-round draft pick. Keys spent three seasons in Chicago from 1983-85, appearing in 44 games with 11 starts and recording 5.5 sacks. He played in all 16 contests as a reserve for the 1985 Super Bowl championship team, registering 2.0 sacks. Keys was among the '85 Bears who was featured in the popular "Super Bowl Shuffle" video.
July 15
In 1941, former Bears teammates Bob Jencks and John Sisk were both born. Jencks was a tight end and kicker who played for the Bears in 1963-64 and was a member of the 1963 NFL championship team, while Sisk was a defensive back who appeared in three games with the Bears in 1964. Jencks passed away Sept. 6, 2010 at the age of 69.
July 16
In 1940, former guard Jim Cadile was born. Selected by the Bears in the fourth round of the 1962 draft out of San Jose State, he spent his entire 11-year NFL career in Chicago, appearing in 128 games with 107 starts. Cadile was a member of the Bears' 1963 NFL championship squad and was the team's starting right guard from 1964 through 1971.
July 17
In 1979, former running back Johnny Musso announced his retirement. After playing two seasons in the CFL and one in the WFL, Musso spent three years with the Bears from 1975-77, serving as Walter Payton's backup and a captain on special teams. Musso spent the 1978 season on injured reserve following right knee surgery and then retired the following summer. He appeared in 30 games with one start for the Bears, rushing for 365 yards and six touchdowns on 100 carries.
July 18
In 1939, former center Mike Pyle was born. Chosen by the Bears in the seventh round of the 1961 draft out of Illinois, the Chicago area native and New Trier High School graduate played his entire nine-year NFL career with his hometown team. Starting 119 of 121 games played from 1961-69, Pyle anchored the Bears offensive line for nearly a decade. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1963 when he helped the Bears win the NFL championship. Pyle passed away July 29, 2015 at the age of 76.
July 19
In 1919, former fullback and linebacker Norm Standlee was born. Selected by the Bears in the first round of the 1941 draft out of Stanford, he played just one season in Chicago before temporarily leaving the NFL to serve in the Armed Forces during World War II. Standlee had an excellent rookie season, helping the Bears win the league championship by finishing fourth in the NFL in rushing with 414 yards and five touchdowns on 81 carries. After the war, he returned to play seven seasons with the 49ers from 1946-52. Standlee passed away Jan. 4, 1981 at the age of 61.
