There has been a lot of heartbreak for Bears fans over the years, so choosing a least favorite play is like choosing a favorite mosquito bite while camping in Minnesota.
Still, the work must be done because we are professionals — we reach into the depths of our dark and stormy memories so you don’t have to.
What is your least favorite play in Bears’ history?
Here are some contenders that just missed the list:
- Double Doink — Cody Parkey misses game-winning field goal in 2019 NFC Wild Card game.
- This one sucked, no doubt about it. However, I was of the opinion that the Bears were ascending and would be back the next year…an important lesson!
- Charles f*****g Martin — Charles Martin of the Green Bay Packers bodyslams Jim McMahon to the turf egregiously late.
- This should be high up on most fans’ lists, but I was not yet born so the sting is a distant one. Still, losing McMahon for the season and essentially a shot at repeating is very painful in retrospect.
- Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb — In a game that would decide the 2013 NFC North crown, the much maligned Chris Conte blew coverage late in the game.
- This one was probably most painful at the time, but I simply didn’t think the Bears were good enough to do much with a playoff berth. Still losing to Rodgers in late game fashion was never fun.
These were all very nearly my least favorite play. Just the effort required to write a few sentences about each one caused me anguish. (I hope
you’re happy, Lester!)
With all of that said, there is one play that I dislike more than the rest. I am scowling with every letter I type at the thought of it.
BJ Raji Rumbles in the NFC Championship
Everything leading up to this moment was painful. The Bears are favorites to dethrone the long-held crown of Aaron Rodgers. They have the defense, led by Julius Peppers, Charles Tillman, and Brian Urlacher. They have the offense, led by Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, and Greg Olsen. This team looks like they could do what Rex Grossman couldn’t.
First, Aaron Rodgers runs in a TD on their first drive. Gut punch.
Then James Starks gets his first career TD to go up 14-0. Paaaaiiiiiiin.
Next, Cutler underthrows a deep pass to Knox and gets picked. Pencils were thrown.
Out of the half, Cutler is seen on the sideline injured riding a stationary bike — ruled out with a knee injury. Depression starts to hit.
Next? Four forgettable incompletions from Todd Collins in Cutler’s absence. Acceptance is setting in.
But then….hope?! Caleb Hanie, Johnny Knox, and Matt Forte lead a TD drive that is finished off by Chester Taylor. HOPE!
The Bears get two consecutive stops! This game is not over!
And then…
…with 6:10 left in the 4th Quarter and a chance to go to the Super Bowl in front of them, Caleb Hanie doesn’t see the biggest man on the field and throws a pick 6 to BJ Raji. Game over. Gut punched.
I will maintain that losing games to Aaron Rodgers, inarguably one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, hurts but is logical. The pain only goes so deep.
But throwing a pick six to a 337 lb defensive lineman while your highly paid quarterback is on the sideline and losing a chance to go to the Super Bowl and your hated rival ends up winning the dang thing? Nothing worse.
Well — that’s enough of that. I am going to go take a cold shower and take a bunch of ibuprofen.
