Were Grammy Nominated rap artists on the gridiron? Were Super bowl Champions also a one hit wonder? Is it still 1985 in Chicago? The answer to all these questions is yes!
With swagger and beats and bars they claimed the Superbowl victory in a rap. They won Superbowl XX! This effort helped a lot of people and gave Prince, Run DMC, and Sade a run for their money at the Grammys.
So while I get settled in my middle aged Steve Harrington Storytelling Chair, pour yourself a beverage, grab a seat, and let’s talk about what MTV News called the finest rap song to ever be recorded by a professional football team!
I’m not here to start no trouble. I’m just here talk about the Super Bowl Shuffle!
The 1985 Bears: The Right Team for the 80’s!
In an unheard of season of 15-1, the Chicago Bears were an unstoppable force of nature in football. To this day they are referred to by many as the best team in NFL history. No one in Chicago will ever let you forget that. In the 80’s everything seemed bigger than life. Even the shoulder pads on clothing and the hair. The Chicago Bears were no exception.
The key players had names, but they were known by their nicknames. Not just in Chicago, but all over the world. Sweetness, The Fridge, Samurai Mike, Mama’s Boy Otis, L.A. Mike Richardson, Mongo McMichael, The Sack Man, Danimal, and Da Coach. Last, but not least, was the quarterback. Sometimes called Mad Mac and other times The Punky QB.
They were celebrities who were bigger than football and part of 80’s pop culture. MTV and rap music was on the rise and so were the Bears. In December of 1985 those worlds collided.
Not doin’ this Because They’re Greedy
The Bears were doin’ it to feed the needy. The idea to record a rap video came from “Sackman” Richard Dent. The Bears top defensive end wanted a fun way to not only celebrate their breakout year, but use it as an opportunity to help their local fans in need. The song and video was an instant hit and raised over $300,000 in profits that were donated to the Chicago Community Trust to help Chicago families in need with clothing, shelter and food. Today, that would be over $870,000 in aid to people who needed it.
They meant it. 29 years after the song’s release, six of the former Bears in the song (Richard Dent, Jim McMahon, Otis Wilson, Willie Gault, Mike Richardson and Steve Fuller) sued the profiteering owners of the song, stating all current and future proceeds from the song should continue to benefit charities.
In some ways, it is still 1985 in Chicago and people still love the song. The players fought to ensure the city that loves them would still benefit from their rap legacy.
The Road to the Grammys
Selling over 500,000 records in short time, the 45 was a Gold record. The VHS video went Platinum with over 1 million units sold. The song went to the Billboard hot 100 making it to #41. Not bad for a debut from some unknown rappers in Chicago!
But then came the 1987 Grammys. It is a little complicated on how a song released in 1985 made it to the 1987 Grammys, but it did .
In 1987 The Super Bowl Shuffle was nominated for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance-Duo or Group.
The other nominees were:
Prince & the Revolution – Kiss
Sade – Promise
Run D.M.C. – Raising Hell
Ashford & Simpson – Real Love
Cameo – Word Up
Ultimately Prince & the Revolution won the Grammy, but the Bears walked away from their Grammy nomination wearing Superbowl Rings.
Hall of Famers and Fate
1985 Bear alumni has six Hall of Famers and one more on the way. Currently inductees are Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Richard Dent, Jim Covert and Mike Dikta.
At least six have died from various things such as heart attack and cancer. But more than 6 have reportedly been affected by cognitive impairment. The cause of their cognitive issues are related to brain trauma from repeated head injuries sustained in their careers.
There is another inductee from the 1985 Bears about to enter the Hall of Fame. Steve “Mongo” McMichael. His body is ravaged from ALS. He is no longer able to speak, but communicates through a special device that follows his eye movements. His mind and his heart are still active and he is very excited about this honor. I am glad he and his wife get to experience this joy.
Life is Short: Enjoy it and Let Others Enjoy it
I love sports, but I don’t talk about it with other sports fans. To become a professional football player is a dream that only a few get to realize. It is hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. And that sacrifice fueled by passion leads to a reduced quality of life in the long term for too many of them.
To watch the worst of us who likely have never chased a dream so hard sit back and criticize these players for the way they love and the things they stand for is frustrating. I am not one who can sit in a sports bar holding a beer while suffering crude fools gladly as they spew racial and sexist complaints that have nothing to do with the game.
If someone falls in love with a pop star and she gets 25 of seconds of television during a game, so what? If a person with a lived experience you have never had takes a knee in a political stance, let them. Life is short. We are all going to die and these players will likely not have the quality of life we will as they age.
In a time where we only focus on the scandals, many of these professional sports players are quietly doing things that help make the world a better place. They also entertain us. Maybe not all of them are Grammy nominated rappers, but they put a lot on the line while we drink beer and eat wings.
Enjoy the Superbowl!
Enjoy the Superbowl today. Take in the splendor of music at the halftime show. Have fun watching the commercials. If you see a pop star rooting for her boyfriend, enjoy the idea of love even if it is something you have never known.
We are not in Rome and they are not Gladiators in the Colosseum and you are not Commodus with a mighty thumb.
Life is hard and I appreciate the actors, the artists, the singers, the writers, and the athletes who provide a few moments of respite from the madness.
They’re just struttin’ for fun! Struttin’ their stuff for everyone!
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