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:
June 15
In 1976, former running back Curtis Enis was born. Selected by the Bears with the fifth pick in the 1998 draft out of Penn State, Enis spent his entire three-year NFL career in Chicago from 1998-2000, rushing for 1,497 yards and four touchdowns on 456 carries while appearing in 36 games with 18 starts.
June 16
In 1970, running back Brian Piccolo passed away due to embryonal cell carcinoma at the age of 26. Piccolo joined the Bears in 1965 as an undrafted free agent after leading the nation with 111 points and 1,044 yards rushing as a senior at Wake Forest. He was in his fourth NFL season when a chest x-ray revealed a malignancy. Piccolo passed away several months later. Every year, the Bears honor a veteran and a rookie with Brian Piccolo Awards, which are presented to players who best exemplify Piccolo's courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor.
June 17
In 1971, the Bears promoted director of player personnel Bobby Walston to assistant to president George "Mugs" Halas, Jr. Walston worked with the Bears from 1968-74. As a player, he spent 12 seasons with the Eagles from 1951-62, doubling as an end and a kicker. He was a two-time Pro Bowler who was named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 1950s. Walston passed away Oct. 7, 1987 at the age of 58.
June 18
In 1980, former Bears defensive tackle and current co-host of the "Inside the Bears" television show Anthony Adams was born. Adams spent the final five seasons of his nine-year NFL career with the Bears from 2007-11, appearing in 63 games with 40 starts and recording 144 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks. The Detroit native currently co-hosts ABC's "The Great American Baking Show" and is known for creating and starring in funny social media videos.
June 19
In 1951, former defensive back Bill Knox was born. Knox spent his entire three-year NFL career with the Bears from 1974-76, appearing in all 14 games in all three of those seasons. He recorded two career interceptions, both in 1974, while also recovering four fumbles.
June 20
In 1981, former running back Dick Plasman passed away at the age of 67. Selected by the Bears in the third round of the 1937 draft out of Vanderbilt, he played six of his eight NFL seasons with the Bears from 1937-41 and in 1944. He was a member of the Bears' NFL championship teams in 1940 and '41 and was the last NFL player to play without a helmet, something he did in the Bears' 73-0 win over the Redskins in the 1940 title game.
June 21
In 2002, receiver Marty Booker agreed to a seven-year contract extension through 2008. Booker set a Bears single-season record that has since been broken with 100 receptions in 2001 and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2002 when he posted his second straight 1,000-yard season. He was traded to the Dolphins in 2004 but returned to the Bears for one season in 2008. Booker is tied for fourth in franchise history with 329 receptions and ranks eighth with 3,895 receiving yards.
