Chicago news: Comcast Sports Net new series on classic Bears games; Rally that launched Dennis Green’s epic rant

A new documentary series from Comcast Sports Net should give Bears fans some relief after last Sunday’s debacle in St. Louis. Always fun to hear the rant.

Here are the details from CSN:

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Chicago, IL (November 18, 2013) – As part of its programming partnership with the Chicago Bears, which includes this season’s additions of “Bears Pregame Live” and the live stream of “Bears Halftime Live,” along with the returns of “United Bears Recap,” “Bears Blitz” and “Bears Huddle,” Comcast SportsNet and the Chicago Bears will debut a brand new documentary series this month that takes a look back at some of the most memorable games in Bears history.

Premiering Wednesday, November 27 at 9:30 PM CT exclusively on Comcast SportsNet, Bears Classics presented by Honda, is a new, one-hour series that chronicles season-defining games from select eras in Bears history as fans will hear behind-the-scenes stories from the players who played in these games and from those who covered them that have never been heard before…until now.

The debut airing will go back in time to Monday night, October 16, 2006 when the Bears faced the Arizona Cardinals…a game featuring a remarkable comeback that set them on the path to an appearance in Super Bowl XLI.  The four-episode series (new airings focusing on separate games to debut in December, January and next September) will be narrated by local/national television broadcasting legend/multiple Peabody & Emmy Award winner Bill Kurtis.  Comcast SportsNet’s Chuck Garfien is the documentary series writer/director and Willie Parker is the series producer.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our expanding partnership with the Chicago Bears and we feel this brand new documentary series will be exciting ‘appointment television’ events that both old and new Bears fans will truly appreciate,” said Phil Bedella, VP/GM of Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

The first episode of Bears Classics (entitled “Night of the Ridiculous”) will take viewers back to that memorable “Monday Night Football” game in October of 2006.  The Bears were off to a 5-0 start that season, but endured some early season struggles offensively.  These struggles were exposed to a prime time MNF audience watching the Cardinals take advantage of those problems by taking a 20-0 lead into the half.  However, thanks to some highly-motivational halftime speeches in the locker room, the Bears defensive and special teams units were the ones who came up big as they combined for an unforgettable second-half performance, highlighted by Brian Urlacher’s 25-tackle showcase, a forced fumble that led to a score, and Bears rookie Devin Hester’s stunning 82-yard punt return TD that propelled the Bears to a 24-23 victory.  This unexpected Bears victory also struck a nerve with Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green, as his “They are who we thought they were!” post-game press conference rant added to the lore of this remarkable moment in Bears history.

BRIAN URLACHER on center Olin Kreutz addressing the team at halftime: “I remember halftime.  Olin Kreutz stood up and we were like ‘what’s going on here?’ Olin said ‘we’re gonna win this f-in’ game’…then he was yelling ‘WE’RE GONNA WIN THIS F-in’ GAME!”

MUHSIN MUHAMMAD on Rex Grossman’s nightmarish performance: “He had six turnovers in that game…four interceptions, a couple of fumbles, and anytime you get to a quarterback early and you can hit him, the quarterback’s going to struggle.”

REX GROSSMAN on the offensive unit’s adversities in that game:  “Everything was a struggle, they were all over us and their offense was starting hot…and I just remember the (Urlacher) sack-fumble getting everybody pumped up.”

CHARLES “PEANUT” TILLMAN on Urlacher’s 25-tackle performance:  “Brian Urlacher turned into…he was just a beast the rest of the game.  And to be on the field and witness it up close and personal, I mean it was probably one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen.”

OLIN KREUTZ on Urlacher’s 25-tackle performance:  “That was the greatest performance I have ever seen on a football field.  I mean it was unbelievable.  He took over the whole game almost single-handedly.”

BRIAN URLACHER on his 25-tackle performance:  “I didn’t feel like I was getting blocked, and if you watch the film, I didn’t get blocked a lot.  There were times when they had guys on me, but I didn’t feel like I was getting blocked a whole lot in the second half.”

DEVIN HESTER on the punt return TD that completed the Bears’ comeback:  “I felt a little knick on my leg that I was able to avoid to stay up, and after that, the rest was history.  Before I even crossed the goal line, the last five yards were like ‘please don’t get caught!”

 

RICK TELANDER on Hester’s punt return TD:  “As an observer, you couldn’t help but think ‘punt it to him. Please god, please punt the ball to him. Get it in his hands. You idiots! You morons!”

SCOTT PLAYER on punting the ball that led to Hester’s game-winning TD:  “You hope that those ten other guys can cover the punt, which they should be able to do if they’re in the National Football League.”

OLIN KREUTZ on Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green’s infamous post-game rant:  “I think that’s what made that game legendary was just his comments after the game…I mean he went crazy.”

LANCE BRIGGS on Green’s post-game rant:  “It’s a moment I think will outlive everyone.  Years from now, we’ll look back and say moments in sports history, and you’ll see Denny Green.  And not only will you see what he said, but they’ll show that game.”

Comcast SportsNet will also re-air this episode of Bears Classics on Saturday, December 7 at 9:00 PM and on Wednesday, December 11 at 11:00 PM.  Details regarding December’s premiere episode of Bears Classics will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition, fans can also get interactive prior and during every airing of Bears Classics with their thoughts, memories and comments by utilizing the Twitter hashtag #BearsClassics.  Plus, CSNChicago.com will provide additional, online exclusive interviews and commentary write-ups from a variety of Comcast SportsNet on-air talent members and from CSNChicago.com’s Bears “Insider” John ‘Moon’ Mullin.

 

One thought on “Chicago news: Comcast Sports Net new series on classic Bears games; Rally that launched Dennis Green’s epic rant

  1. Anticipated this program for weeks. Turned out to be very disappointing. I was surprised how little of the game was shown. Mostly comments by those not directly involved in the game. Overall, didn’t capture much of the tension and excitement of the game. Poorly produced.

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