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Home»Bears»REPORT: Chicago Bears Legendary Quarterback Died At 70
Bears

REPORT: Chicago Bears Legendary Quarterback Died At 70

Jordan SiglerBy Jordan SiglerMay 5, 20244 Mins Read
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NFL: Chicago Bears helmet
Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Chicago Bears helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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A former Chicago Bears quarterback has reportedly died at the age of 70. They were known for teaming up with Walter Payton in the early part of the Hall of Fame running back’s career.

Bob Avellini died at 70

US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive Historical
Aug 28, 1976, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears quarterback Bob Avellini (7) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a pre-season game at Tampa Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

According to Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times, Bob Avellini died of cancer:

The Bears drafted Avellini in the same year as Payton, 1975. The Bears selected Payton with the No. 4 pick in the draft, and Avellini would join the Bears with pick No. 135 in the sixth round. Per Potash, Avellini was remembered fondly for helping to lead the Bears to the playoffs for the 1977 season:

With the Bears’ 1977 season on the brink at 3-5 and the Bears 10 seconds away from a loss to the Chiefs at Soldier Field that would all but end their playoff hopes, Avellini heaved a 37-yard touchdown pass to inexplicably wide open tight end Greg Latta at the goal line with three seconds left that gave the Bears a miraculous 28-27 victory.

In the aftermath of the delirious celebration that followed, the Bears thought they were a team of destiny, and — against the odds — it turned out that they were. Avellini’s winning pass to Latta sparked a mad-dash six-game winning streak to send the 9-5 Bears into the playoffs for the first time since 1963.

Avellini left just as the Chicago Bears became great

US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Oct 17, 1976; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears quarterback Bob Avellini (7) in action against the Los Angeles Rams at the Coliseum. The Rams defeated the Bears 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports

That would be Avellini’s best moment with the Bears. He’d be the full-time starter for only one more season (1978) before he served as a backup until he was cut during the 1984 season. He wouldn’t be on the team when Payton and the Bears made the NFC Championship Game for the 1984 campaign and won the Super Bowl the following season.

Avellini signed with the Jets during the 1984 season. He signed with the Cowboys in 1986 and played in three preseason games before he cut and retired from the league. Avellini finished his career with 7,111 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 69 interceptions.

Avellini had a complex life after retirement

US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive Historical
Aug 28, 1976, USA; FILE PHOTO; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Lee Roy Selmon (63) pressures Chicago Bears quarterback Bob Avellini (7) during a pre-season game at Tampa Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Per Potash, Avellini had several DUIs in post-retirement. He was also beloved in Chicago for helping out with charity events:

Avellini became a real estate broker in the Chicago area after his football career ended, but also struggled in retirement. In 2012 he filed for bankruptcy protection. In 2014, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to felony DUI — his sixth arrest for DUI since 2002. He claimed that head injuries he suffered during his career contributed to depression and drinking problems.

But Avellini also was a popular and supportive former teammate who was active in the Chicago area at charity events and golf outings — most recently at a 69th birthday celebration for former teammate Revie Sorey, a fellow New Yorker also drafted by the Bears in 1975, who suffered a stroke in 2012.

Avellini was a complicated figure on the field and off.

The Bears released a statement on Avellini’s death Sunday morning:

“Bob was one-of-kind, a fierce and tough competitor.  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.”

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks.

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BY Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a trending news writer for ChiCitySports.

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