Chicago Bears and Wrigley Field: A Photographic Look at the NFL in the '60s

I have had a number of my photographs of the Chicago Bears at Wrigley Field in the 1960s published in a number of books.  A few are part of the permanent displays at Soldier Field, at Halas Hall in Lake Forest and in many private collections. 

Many former players and their families have been happy to have access to these photographs.  

I personally have enjoyed putting together a book, Pro Football at Wrigley Field. It contains over 240 photographs from the time I was a freelance photographer for Rudy Custer, the business manager for the Bears. It is available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.

Additional photographs can be viewed on Prairiestreetart.com

Thanks for looking, and enjoy the slideshow.

Quarter Back Bill Wade on the Side Lines.

Bill Wade came to the Bears from the Los Angeles Rams and led the Bears to their 1963 Championship over the New York Giants on a cold Wrigley Field.

1960's Chicago Bears Brian Piccolo and Rosey Taylor

Brian Piccolo was good at keeping things loose for the Bears. Here is probably telling Rosey Taylor he will have a tough time covering those Green Bay Receivers.  Rosey held his own and was a steady defensive back on the Championship Bears of 1963.

Abe Gibron and the Bears Legendary Coach

Abe Gibron was a player and fan favorite during his playing and coaching days in Chicago. HIs sense of humor and direct comments made for great press and his "pig roast" the last day of training camp was the highlight of the new season.

Green Bay's Ray NItschke Makes a Charge for the QB!

Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke was always in the middle of everything going on the field. Can you imagine watching him and Dick Butkus in the same game. Here Ray opens a hole and sets takes aim at the Bear Quarterback. 

Gayle Sayers Takes a Rest After a Touchdown

This must have been after another Gayle Sayers touchdown.

 Sayers takes a break during a kickoff before the defense gets out there while Doug Atkins and Joe Fortunato plan the next series.

The '63 Bears on the Wrigley Field Sidelines

Bob Kilcullen, Johnnie Morris, Joe Marconi, Doug Atkins, Ronnie Bull, Earl Leggett, Bill Wade, Bill George, Ed O'Bradovich and Rich Petitbon wait for introductions at Wrigley. 

Up Close and Personal at Wrigley

No skybox needed.  The fans were as close as you could ever get at Wrigley Field.

Here, Larry Morris, Fred Williams and Bill George wait for their next chance to get out there. 

One of the Bears defensive guys once yelled at the offense coming on the field, "Hold 'em, don't let 'em score." 

If you were sitting in that first row, you wouldn't want to say much to those guys sitting in front of you.  They were mad enough on most Sundays.

The Three Big Bad Bears

Roman Gabriel has no place to go with the rush put on by Larry Morris, Doug Atkins and Joe Fortunato.

Not sure what happened, but it looks like a sack is coming.

The Green Bay Sweep

The Green Bay sweep was a bread-and-butter play for the Packers.

Packers fullback Jim Taylor ran it to perfection and always had those big blockers out in front. 

The New York Giants and the Great Y.A. Tittle

New York Giants Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle takes on the Chicago Bears at Wrigley.

The Bears and the Giants played for the championship a number of times during the '50s and '60s.  The games were always classic battles with some of the top players in the league. 

The Great Giants Linebacker Sam Huff

Sam Huff was a New York favorite and a Hall of Fame linebacker.  Fans around the league also appreciated his tough, hard-hitting play. 

In general, the New York Giant had a stellar Hall of Fame career. 

The Baltimore Colts' Don Shula and Lenny Moore

A young Don Shula on the sidelines with halfback Lenny Moore during a Bears vs. Colts game at Wrigley. 

Little did the fans realize while watching those games the number of players who would later end up in the Hall of Fame.

Who knew that years later a fellow named Mike Ditka and coach Don Shula would meet again and the Dolphins would spoil the Bears' perfect season.

Mike Pyle and Bill Wade Miss the Snap Count

A big offsides or a missed snap count.

Don't know who got the penalty, but it looks like the defense jumped; otherwise, Mike Pyle would not still have the ball.  

A little more mayhem going on in the '60s.

Purchasing my book and images:

You can purchase my book Pro Football at Wrigley Field from  Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

The book is a paperback 8.5x11 and 106 pages.  Quotes by Mike Ditka, Ed O'Bradovich, Doug Buffone, Gale Sayers, Mike Pyle and Maury Youmans and a forward by Ronnie Bull.  Text by Beth Gorr.

For images, check out prairiestreetart.com.

For different sizes, please contact me.

Thanks, Ron Nelson