Jim O’Donnell: Thayer delivers moving ad-lib tribute to ‘Mongo’ on AM-1000
THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME WEEKEND in Canton was intended to serve in part as tribute to Steve McMichael — almost elegiac in tone — and it was.
The storm-shortened 21-17 victory of the Bears Thursday night on ESPN/ABC was reduced to mere prelude. Although the 42-minute scrum proved a nice national showcase for reserve QB Brett Rypien, WR Collin Johnson and TE Tommy Sweeney.
No individual directly affiliated with Halas Hall delivered more poignant words on McMichael than Tom Thayer.
Prior to the game, the veteran analyst — summoning much of a flowing directness developed at Joliet Catholic, Notre Dame and during many guest appearances on later iterations of the Steve Dahl-Garry Meier radio show — told his ESPN AM-1000 audience:
“I'm just disappointed that it's so late in his life for him to get into the Hall of Fame because he deserves it by what he accomplished in the NFL, his contributions to the game, his contributions to the Chicago Bears and his overall long-term performance.”
THAYER CONTINUED:
“I think a lot of people have the perception of Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael as the pistol-fighting Texan, rattlesnake-hunting cowboy type of guy that's meaner than the meanest.
“But 'Ming' is one of the most congenial, intelligent, great teammates of all time. I just wish that he was going to walk out on that stage during the presentation and give a speech only like 'Mongo' could. I think it would open up the ears and the eyes of people around the world when they got to see Steve McMichael with an open mic.”
THERE ARE ENOUGH BEARS FANS remaining of an age who will forever hoist a mug or woof at an orange moon whenever mention of McMichael or Thayer or Mike Ditka's '85 Bears is made.
Younger media types sometimes like to poke fun at that steadfast old group. And they should — the future is forever now and even the most magical of memories can fog the road forward.
But in terms of those five mythical months — September 1985 to January 1986 — it was like Shakespeare's Henry V rallying his outmanned troops on the eve of battle at Agincourt. Cut to the bone, you had to be there — and you had to live and feel the once-in-a-lifetime vibe.
AS FOR “MONGO,” he now moves into the next phase as an unquestioned and unforgettable prince of Chicago Bears football.
Maybe Jimmy Buffett came close in “One Particular Harbor” when he sang:
“I can see the day, when my hair's full gray
“And I finally disappear.”
* * *
BATTERED BETTORS from mouse to smartphone had some hairs turning gray after the final 18 minutes of the Bears-Texans preseasoner were canceled.
Some major legal books including DraftKings announced that money-line, spread and undetermined totals — with CHI +2 ½ — “would be refunded” because of fine-print rules.
Since the over/under (37 ½) had been “unconditionally determined,” those wagers would be processed.
So the NFL officially called it “a win” for the Bears but D-Kings and other magpie outfits didn't.
It's enough to give carnie games everywhere a bad name.
STREET-BEATIN':
NBC Sports president Mark Lazarus surprised no one by self-trumpeting, “The Olympics are back!” Through Week 1, the Paris Games are nudging 36M daily viewers at peak across eight platforms. That also means 90% of America remains otherwise occupied. …
The NFL's new “dynamic kickoff” prompted nothing but redundancy and chilled thrills during its unveiling in the HOF game at Canton. It's even money that Steve Harvey will be hosting a prime-time game show with that title before the new year. …
M.I.A. sports fly caster Dan McNeil says he's working on a book and shipping lanes between Indiana and Illinois still haven't been sealed. “Carp Jumping on the Calumet” is shortlisted as a possible title. …
Susan Manning reports that sports programming on the rebranded WCIU “The U”/Channel 26 will continue to expand. The outlet has added select South Bend Cubs games to complement its remaining inventory of seven outings featuring Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky. …
Plans are moving ahead for a 40th anniversary celebration of Arlington Park's “Miracle Million” next summer. On that damp Sunday, Daily Herald handicapper Ray Hallett — who as a teen in Seymour, Indiana, once broke the nose of a punky John Mellencamp — correctly picked the front-running Teleprompter (14-1) to win. (Even champion owner Lord Derby regally beamed.) …
And Teresa Hanafin, on how some people are spelling “success” at the Paris Olympics: “Simone Biles is the greatest gymnast of all time, Katie Ledecky is the greatest female swimmer of all time and the U.S. women's basketball team is 2-0 and headed to the quarterfinals Sunday vs. Germany.” — (10:15 a.m., USA Network).
Jim O'Donnell's Sports and Media column appears each week on Sunday and Thursday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com. All communications may be considered for publication.