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:
February 23
In 1981, Charles Tillman was born. A cornerback who played 12 seasons with the Bears from 2003-14, Tillman was part of a dominant defense that helped the Bears win three NFC North titles and one conference championship. He set team records with nine defensive touchdowns, eight interception return TDs and 675 interception return yards. His 36 interceptions are the most by a cornerback in team history and third most overall behind safeties Gary Fencik (38) and Richie Petitbon (37). Known for smacking the ball away from opponents, a technique dubbed the "Peanut Punch," Tillman forced 42 fumbles in 12 seasons, including a career-high 10 in 2012 when he was voted to his second straight Pro Bowl.
February 24
In 1987, Prince and the Revolution's "Kiss" won the Grammy for best R&B vocal performance by a duo or group, besting the Super Bowl Shuffle. The rap song recorded by the 1985 Bears—nearly two months before they won the Super Bowl—sold more than 500,000 copies.
February 25
In 1958, Jeff Fisher was born. A cornerback and punt returner, Fisher was selected by the Bears in the seventh round of the 1981 draft out of USC. He appeared in 49 games with three starts over four seasons with the Bears, averaging 9.4 yards with one touchdown on 120 punt returns and 14.6 yards on 14 kickoff returns. Fisher later spent 22 seasons as an NFL head coach with the Oilers/Titans (1994-2010) and Rams (2012-16), compiling records of 173-165-1 in the regular season and 5-6 in the playoffs.
February 26
In 1940, Mac Percival was born. A kicker who spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Bears from 1967-72, Percival ranks seventh on the franchise's all-time scoring list with 456 points. He connected on 99 of 182 field-goal attempts (54.4 percent) and 159 of 162 extra-point tries (98.1). Percival shares a Bears single-game record with five field goals in a 29-16 win over the Eagles Oct. 20, 1968 in Philadelphia.
February 27
In 1975, Marcus Robinson was born. The 6-3, 215-pound receiver was selected by the Bears in the fourth round of the 1997 draft out of South Carolina. He spent his first five NFL seasons with the Bears, appearing in 51 games with 28 starts and catching 187 passes for 2,695 yards and 20 touchdowns. Robinson set a single-season team receiving record that has since been broken with 1,400 yards on 84 receptions in 1999.
February 28
In 1953, Roland Harper was born. The fullback was chosen by the Bears in the 17th round of the 1975 draft out of Louisiana Tech. He played his entire eight-year NFL career in Chicago, appearing in 89 games with 64 starts. Harper rushed for 3,044 yards and 15 touchdowns on 757 carries and caught 128 passes for 1,013 yards and three TDs. He arrived the same season as Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton and frequently served as his lead blocker.
February 29
In 2016, former Bears quarterback Rudy Bukich passed away at the age of 85. Bukich played nine of his 14 NFL seasons with the Bears in two stints, in 1958-59 and 1962-68. He appeared in 59 games with 30 starts, completing 474 of 878 passes for 6,254 yards with 46 touchdowns, 45 interceptions and a 72.9 passer rating. After serving as Bill Wade's backup on the 1963 Bears team that won the NFL championship, Bukich was the club's starting quarterback in 1965 and 1966. In 1965, he was named All-Pro after passing for 2,641 yards with 20 TDs, nine interceptions and a 93.7 rating.
