Monsters of the Midway

The "Monsters of the Midway" is most widely known as the nickname for the National Football League's Chicago Bears -- particularly the dominant teams of 1940 and 1941. The name underwent something of a revival when the 1985 edition of the Bears proved to be almost equally dominant.

Related Topics:
Nickname - National Football League - Chicago Bears - 1940 - 1941 - 1985

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The actually origin of the name Monsters of the Midway came from the University of Chicago "Maroons", a strong college football team under the leadership of Amos Alonzo Stagg. The 'Midway' is a reference to the Midway Plaisance; a long, green swath of boulevard space bordering the southern end of the campus, between 59th and 60th streets, and ending at Washington Park on Chicago's South Side. The U of C decided to drop its football program in 1939, about the time when the Bears became dominant in the NFL; the tag was appropriated by the Bears, even though their home turf was Wrigley Field, on the North Side of the city (roughly 12 miles from the Midway).

Related Topics:
University of Chicago - Amos Alonzo Stagg - Midway Plaisance - Boulevard - Washington Park - Chicago - Wrigley Field

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An ironic footnote -- The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, who were originally the Racine Cardinals (named for the street on the South Side of Chicago where they played, the team eventually became the Chicago Cardinals), received their first uniforms -- literally -- from the University of Chicago's throw-away pile. The faded maroon was a 'cardinal' red color, hence the name. Had the Chicago Cardinals enjoyed the dominance instead of their crosstown rivals, perhaps they would have inherited the nickname 'Monsters.'

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Monsters of the Midway" is also used as a nickname for three of the greats who have played linebackers of the Bears: Brian Urlacher, Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary.

Related Topics:
Linebackers - Brian Urlacher - Dick Butkus - Mike Singletary

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~