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 6
In 1972, defensive end Ed O'Bradovich announced his retirement after spending his entire 10-year NFL career with the Bears. A Chicago-area native who attended Proviso East High School and the University of Illinois, O'Bradovich was selected by the Bears in the seventh round of the 1962 draft. He appeared in 124 games with 99 starts, opening all 14 games in each of his final four seasons. O'Bradovich set up the winning touchdown in the Bears' 14-10 victory over the Giants in the 1963 NFL Championship Game at Wrigley Field, intercepting a Y.A. Tittle pass and returning it 10 yards to the New York 14.
July 7
In 1958, former fullback Matt Suhey was born. Chosen by the Bears in the second round of the 1980 draft out of Penn State, he played his entire 10-year NFL career in Chicago. Suhey appeared in 148 games with 100 starts, rushing for 2,946 yards and 20 touchdowns on 828 carries and catching 260 passes for 2,113 yards and five TDs. A key member of the 1985 championship team, Suhey scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl XX on an 11-yard run, giving the Bears a 13-3 lead over the Patriots en route to a 46-10 victory.
July 8
In 1954, former offensive lineman Phil McKinnely was born. McKinnely spent one season with the Bears in 1982, starting eight games at left tackle in Mike Ditka's first year as coach. McKinnely also played for the Falcons (1976-80) and Rams (1981). He became an NFL official in 2002 and remains a down judge.
July 9
In 1969, the Bears signed first-round draft pick Rufus Mayes, a tackle from Ohio State. Selected No. 14 overall, he started all 13 games as a rookie. Mayes was then traded by the Bears to the Bengals in January 1970 in exchange for defensive end Harry Gunner and defensive tackle Bill Staley.
July 10
In 1980, the Bears signed first-round draft pick Otis Wilson, a linebacker from Louisville. Chosen No. 19 overall, he appeared in 109 games with 90 starts over eight seasons in Chicago, registering 36.0 sacks, 10 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. Wilson was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1985 when he registered 10.5 sacks and helped the Bears win the Super Bowl.
July 11
In 1992, offensive lineman Cody Whitehair was born. Selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2016 draft out of Kansas State, he has started all 16 games in each of his first four NFL seasons. Whitehair was voted to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2016 at center, a position he never played in college. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018 when he was the only Bears player to play every snap during the season. Whitehair moved to left guard to open the 2019 campaign but moved back to center midway through the season.
July 12
In 1975, the Bears started training camp at Lake Forest College. They remained there through 1983 before moving camp to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (1984-2001) and Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais (2002-19).
