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1961 Chicago Bears season

{{short description|NFL team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NFL team season

| team = Chicago Bears

| year = 1961

| record = 8–6

| division_place = 3rd (tied) NFL Western

| coach = George Halas

| general manager = George Halas

| owner = George Halas

| stadium = Wrigley Field

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| shortnavlink = Bears seasons

}}

The 1961 Chicago Bears season was their 42nd regular season completed in the National Football League. The team finished with an 8–6 record under George Halas, which was an improvement over the 5–6–1 record of the previous season.

Offseason

On January 14, Chicago Bears End Willard Dewveall played out his option and joined the Houston Oilers of the American Football League. He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another.NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN|0-7611-2480-2}}, p. 282

The Bears were notable for taking part in an exhibition game in their first ever game outside of the United States, taking on the CFL's Montreal Alouettes (the original team), winning 34–16.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?STORY_ID=7241 |title=Bears played game in Canada in 1961 |access-date=2012-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824145437/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?STORY_ID=7241 |archive-date=2012-08-24 |url-status=dead }}

Schedule

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1961|border=2}}"| Game

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1961|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1961|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1961|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1961|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1961|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1961|border=2}}"| Attendance

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1961|border=2}}"| Recap

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1961|border=2}}"| Sources

style="background:#fcc"

! 1

| September 17

| at Minnesota Vikings

| L 13–37

| 0–1

| Metropolitan Stadium

| 32,236

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109170min.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| September 23

| at Los Angeles Rams

| W 21–17

| 1–1

| L.A. Memorial Coliseum

| 53,315

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109230ram.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#fcc"

! 3

| October 1

| at Green Bay Packers

| L 0–24

| 1–2

| City Stadium

| 38,669

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110010gnb.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 4

| October 8

| at Detroit Lions

| W 31–17

| 2–2

| Briggs Stadium

| 53,854

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110080det.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 5

| October 15

| Baltimore Colts

| W 24–10

| 3–2

| Wrigley Field

| 48,719

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110150chi.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 6

| October 22

| San Francisco 49ers

| W 31–0

| 4–2

| Wrigley Field

| 49,070

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110220chi.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 7

| October 29

| at Baltimore Colts

| W 21–20

| 5–2

| Memorial Stadium

| 57,641

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110290clt.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#fcc"

! 8

| November 5

| at Philadelphia Eagles

| L 14–16

| 5–3

| Franklin Field

| 60,671

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111050phi.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#fcc"

! 9

| November 12

| Green Bay Packers

| L 28–31

| 5–4

| Wrigley Field

| 49,711

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111120chi.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#fcc"

! 10

| November 19

| at San Francisco 49ers

| L 31–41

| 5–5

| Kezar Stadium

| 52,972

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111190sfo.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 11

| November 26

| Los Angeles Rams

| W 28–24

| 6–5

| Wrigley Field

| 45,965

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111260chi.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#fcc"

! 12

| December 3

| Detroit Lions

| L 15–16

| 6–6

| Wrigley Field

| 51,017

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112030chi.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 13

| December 10

| Cleveland Browns

| W 17–14

| 7–6

| Wrigley Field

| 38,717

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112100chi.htm Recap]

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 14

| December 17

| Minnesota Vikings

| W 52–35

| 8–6

| Wrigley Field

| 34,539

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112170chi.htm Recap]

|

colspan="10"| Note: Intra-conference opponents in bold.

Standings

File:611210-Bears-Browns-program.jpg

{{1961 NFL Western standings}}

{{1961 NFL Eastern standings}}

= Game summaries =

== Week 1 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1= 0|V2=6 |V3=0 |V4=7

|Host=Vikings

|H1=3 |H2=7 |H3=14 |H4=13

|Date=September 17

|Location=Metropolitan Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=32,236

|Weather={{convert|61|F}}; wind 13 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109170min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 2 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1= 7|V2=0 |V3=7 |V4=7

|Host=Rams

|H1= 3|H2= 7|H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=September 23

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=53,315

|Weather={{convert|65|F}}; wind 10 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109230ram.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 3 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Packers

|H1=7 |H2=3 |H3=7 |H4=7

|Date=October 1

|Location=City Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=38,669

|Weather={{convert|46|F}}; wind 19 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110010gnb.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 4 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1=0 |V2=7 |V3=3 |V4=21

|Host=Lions

|H1=10 |H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=0

|Date=October 8

|Location=Tiger Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=53,854

|Weather={{convert|60|F}}; wind 7 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110080det.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 5 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Colts

|V1= 0|V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=3

|Host=Bears

|H1=3 |H2= 7|H3=0 |H4=14

|Date=October 15

|Location=Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=48,719

|Weather={{convert|50|F}} • Wind 13 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time= |Team=CHI |Event=Roger LeClerc 14-yard field goal |Score= Bears 3–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= BAL|Event=Johnny Unitas 7-yard run (Steve Myhra kick) |Score= Colts 7–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= CHI|Event= Johnny Morris 8-yard pass from Ed Brown (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score=Bears 10–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team= BAL |Event=Steve Myhra 32-yard field goal |Score= Tie 10–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team= CHI|Event=Willie Galimore 84-yard pass from Ed Brown (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score= Bears 17–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team= CHI |Event=Rick Casares 1-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score= Bears 24–10|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110150chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

{{Clear}}

== Week 6 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=49ers

|V1= 0|V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Bears

|H1=0 |H2=14 |H3=7 |H4=10

|Date=October 22

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=49,070

|Weather={{convert|49|F}}; wind 8 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110220chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 7 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1= 0|V2=7 |V3=7 |V4=7

|Host=Colts

|H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=6 |H4=0

|Date=October 29

|Location=Memorial Stadium • Baltimore, Maryland

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=57,641

|Weather={{convert|52|F}} • Wind 8 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter= 1|Time= |Team=BAL |Event=Joe Perry 21 -yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick)|Score= Colts 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 2|Time= |Team=BAL |Event= Lenny Moore 68-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick) |Score= Colts 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 2|Time= |Team=CHI |Event= Mike Ditka 19-yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick)|Score= Colts 14–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team=BAL |Event= Alex Hawkins 1-yard run (kick failed) |Score= Colts 20–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team=CHI |Event= Johnny Morris 41-yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score=Colts 20–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team=CHI |Event=Rick Casares 5-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score= Bears 21–20|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110290clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

{{Clear}}

== Week 8 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1=7 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Eagles

|H1=3 |H2=7 |H3=6 |H4=0

|Date=November 5

|Location=Franklin Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=60,671

|Weather={{convert|68|F}}; wind 9 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111050phi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 9 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Packers

|V1=7 |V2=21 |V3=3 |V4=0

|Host=Bears

|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=14

|Date=November 12

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=49,711

|Weather={{convert|52|F}}; wind 13 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111120chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 10 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1=7 |V2= 3|V3=7 |V4=14

|Host=49ers

|H1=17 |H2=3 |H3=21 |H4=0

|Date=November 19

|Location=Kezar Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=52,972

|Weather={{convert|48|F}}; wind 7 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111190sfo.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 11 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1= 7|V2=0 |V3= 3|V4=14

|Host=Bears

|H1= 7|H2=14 |H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=November 26

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=45,965

|Weather={{convert|49|F}}; wind 12 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111260chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 12 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Lions

|V1=0 |V2=9 |V3=0 |V4=7

|Host=Bears

|H1=3 |H2=3 |H3=6 |H4=3

|Date=December 3

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=51,017

|Weather={{convert|44|F}}; wind 10 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112030chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 13 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Browns

|V1= 14|V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Bears

|H1= 0|H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=17

|Date=December 10

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=38,717

|Weather={{convert|30|F}}; wind 15 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112100chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-05.

{{Clear}}

== Week 14 ==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Vikings

|V1=14 |V2=7 |V3=7 |V4=7

|Host=Bears

|H1= 7|H2=14 |H3=24 |H4=7

|Date=December 17

|Location=Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=34,539

|Weather={{convert|33|F}}; wind 13 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time= |Team=MIN |Event=Hugh McElhenny 81 yard punt return (Mike Mercer kick) |Score= MIN 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time= |Team=MIN |Event=Jerry Reichow 30 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick) |Score= MIN 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time= |Team=CHI |Event=Angelo Coia 62 yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score= MIN 14–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= CHI|Event=Willie Galimore 8 yard run (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score= Tie 14–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= CHI|Event=Mike Ditka 2 yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score=CHI 21–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= MIN|Event= Jerry Reichow 11 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick) |Score= Tie 21–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team=CHI |Event= Angelo Coia 16 yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score= CHI 28–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 3|Time= |Team=CHI |Event=Roger LeClerc 17 yard field goal |Score= CHI 31–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 3|Time= |Team=CHI |Event=Mike Ditka 30 yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score= CHI 38–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 3|Time= |Team=MIN |Event=Gordie Smith 10 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick) |Score= CHI 38–28}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 3|Time= |Team=CHI |Event=Charlie Bivins 30 yard run (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score= CHI 45–28}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 4|Time= |Team= MIN|Event= Jerry Reichow 24 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick) |Score= CHI 45–35}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 4|Time= |Team=CHI |Event= Willie Galimore 60 yard run (Roger LeClerc kick) |Score= CHI 52–35|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112170chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

{{Clear}}

Roster

File:8X10A 1961 Chicago Bears o-line practice 1.jpg]]

{{NFL final roster

| year = 1961

| team = Chicago Bears

| prefix =

| active =

| inactive =

| PS =

| quarterbacks =

| running_backs =

| wide_receivers =

| tight_ends =

| offensive_linemen =

| defensive_linemen =

| linebackers =

| defensive_backs =

| special_teams =

| reserve_lists =

| practice_squad =

}}

References

{{Reflist|35em}}

{{Chicago Bears}}

{{Chicago Bears seasons}}

{{1961 NFL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1961 Chicago Bears Season}}

Chicago Bears

Category:Chicago Bears seasons

Chicago Bears