The Lions and Bears have a long history as Rivals. In 1985, the Bears D was loaded, with Steve McMichael and the Fridge anchoring the D line, HOF’rs Dan Hampton and Richard Dent on the ends – and a Linebacker core consisting of Marshall, Singletary, and Otis Wilson – It was December 22, 1985 when the two teams met at the Silverdome, where the hit heard round the world occurred. The Lions were overmatched, to say the least, losing the game 37-17.
http://gty.im/639540558
With Joe Ferguson at QB – it was opening dive and the Lions were on the move – inside Bears Territory Ferguson rolled out of the pocket being chased by a mountain of a man, William the Fridge Perry, only to be CRUSHED by LB Wilber Marshall in a hit that no doubt would result in a penalty, massive fines, and suspension today – but was pretty common back then… The hit did not even draw a flag for spearing or a late hit.
Instead of a massive fine – Marshall was issued a $2,000 fine by the NFL – A fine the Lions had to PETITION the NFL to give. Bears Head Coach Mike Ditka had this to say about the fine at the time after suggesting that the team chip in to help pay the fine:
“I really don`t agree with it at all,” Ditka said on WBBM-TV.
“And if that`s not good football, then we should get skirts on and do something else.”
What did Marshall have to say about the hit?
“I didn`t think I hit him that hard,”
The whole opening drive is below – you can find the hit at 1:15 if you want to jump to it.
BONUS CONTENT
Watch Barry go head to head against Bo as the two clashed on Monday Night Football.
https://detroitsportsnation.com/videos/ddrysdale/barry-sanders-vs-bo-jackson-mnf/51785/
