BREAKING: Former Chicago Bears Quarterback Has Passed Away
Chicago Bears helmet (Photo by Getty Images)
A former Chicago Bears quarterback has passed on.
The Bears announced this weekend that Bob Avellini, who played with Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton and helped lead the team to the 1977 playoffs, died of cancer at the age of 70.
The team didn’t say when he died.
Avellini and Payton played out the best season of their careers in 1977, with the Bears and Minnesota Vikings both going 9-5 in the NFC North. The Vikings won the division, and the Bears got a Wild Card berth.
The Dallas Cowboys got the better of them, however, beating them 37-7 in the first round. Avellini threw 11 touchdown passes for a career-high 2,004 yards and 18 interceptions that season. Payton rushed for north of 1,800 yards and 14 scores.
“Former Bears quarterback Bob Avellini passed away Saturday at the age of 70,” the Bears announced on Sunday.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google!Follow Us
“Bob was one-of-kind, a fierce and tough competitor,” the team added. “He’s perhaps best remembered for leading the Bears on an improbable run in 1977 to our first postseason appearance in fourteen years. He will be missed.”
The former QB threw for 7,111 yards, 33 TDs, and 69 interceptions in nine seasons, having played in 73 games.
He came into the NFL the same year as Payton; the Bears took him in the sixth round in 1975 following his career at Maryland. Payton, on the other hand, was the No. 4 overall pick.
Former Chicago Bears QB Bob Avellini Struggled After Retirement
Avellini transitioned to real estate after retirement, but being a broker came with its challenges as he filed for bankruptcy protection in 2012. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to felony DUI in 2014, which was on the back of his sixth DUI arrest since 2002.
The former Chicago Bears signal-caller said the injuries he suffered during his career were the cause of his drinking and depression.
Still, he was pretty active when it came to charity events in the Chicago area and was hailed as a “supportive former teammate.”
Our thoughts go out to Bob’s family, friends, and loved ones.
R.I.P.
News
Lawrence Jones Expresses Excitement About Taking On New Role at Fox News – What’s Next for This Rising Star?
Lawrence Jones has officially joined FOX & Friends, FOX News Media announced on Thursday. FOX & Friends aired a montage of Jones’ best moments on the show, where he…
A MIRACLE HAS HAPPENED! Jesus and the Angel Army appear in JERUSALEM! A MIRACLE happens! WHAT
A MIRACLE HAS HAPPENED! Jesus and the Angel Army appear in JERUSALEM! A MIRACLE happens! WHAT . . . Jerusalem, a city steeped in history and faith,…
Euphorbia Hirta: Nature’s Remedy for Respiratory and Immune Health
Euphorbia Hirta: Nature’s Remedy for Respiratory and Immune Health Euphorbia Hirta, commonly known as the asthma plant, is a remarkable herb with a long-standing reputation…
If You See This Plant in Your Garden, You’re Sitting on Gold: The Superfood and Brain Oxygenator That’s Overlooked by Many
If You See This Plant in Your Garden, You’re Sitting on Gold: The Superfood and Brain Oxygenator That’s Overlooked by Many Have you ever dismissed a plant…
Joy Reid lost her temper and broke her silence after being mercilessly fired by MSNBC in first interview, but when she revealed the reason, no one had any doubts.
Joy Reid broke down in tears as she spoke publicly for the first time since her abrupt departure from MSNBC, unleashing a mix of ‘anger and rage’…
Stunning Announcement: Whoopi Goldberg, Megan Rapinoe & Taylor Swift Declare They’re Leaving the U.S.!
Stunning Announcement: Whoopi Goldberg, Megan Rapinoe & Taylor Swift Declare They’re Leaving the U.S.! Iп a sυrprisiпg tυrп of eveпts, three of America’s most iпflυeпtial womeп—Whoopi Goldberg,…
End of content
No more pages to load