The Fog Bowl: The Greatest Game That No One Saw | The Timeline

[@jimc.goodfellas]

There's nothing better than classic NFL Films!

[@Antonio-xu1qi]

For real 😎 I love them

[@XBlakeFreemanX]

Oh oh oh oh oh okay Lamborghini Mercy

[@spinmyhead1667]

Yeah,there is.

[@eatingwithalex3448]

and bill nye

[@marimcge]

That was an excellent presentation for sure!😊

[@planreview]

I was in the low rows of the north end zone. At first, it looked like there was a smoke-producing fire just outside the stadium as the smoke rolled over the top rows of the south end zone. It didn’t stop until the bowl filled to the point that we could see nothing. We huddled around someone with a radio. They called the game for us. I still have the ticket stub.

[@bryanaa196]

Damn, man. Nice!

[@circusfreak7766]

We were probably sitting very close each other haha. I was in the 4th row behind the East upright. Some guy in front of us had a radio and we relied on him for the second half play by play.

[@MegaAweStruck]

@@circusfreak7766 imagine yall listening to the same radio lmao

[@jamie.777]

So sorry you live in Chicago, what a sh*thole

[@jamie.777]

@@MegaAweStruck it's a darn miracle. Late 80s and ppl listening to the same AM broadcast in a sh*thole city.. why are apes allowed to carry guns in Chicago

[@vengeance1701]

I love NFL Films. Wish we could get even more of the older stuff.

[@jolee2433]

Old NFL Films and Saturday Kung Fu Theatre haha

[@jackfullerton5762]

The ones with Mike Fascenda? Yeah...

[@alexfranklin3502]

@@jolee2433 And Saturday Night Main Event.

[@Ryan78900]

oh get off ur high horse pal

[@kevinfinnegan310]

Sunday night?(Wednesday)? recap of the weekend with the sables.... I grew up watching them

[@CasualMMAFan]

The way Cunningham described seeing Singletary with wide, beady eyes, and then disappears in the fog when he dropped back just gave me chills.

[@kyledabearsfan]

I'm not scared of much, that would haunt my nightmares

[@satsunada]

"Sanders goes right... and disappears to a haze" - might be one of the best NFL commentator lines in history

[@bjbell52]

I remember that line - very funny .....

[@minnesotawild8514]

It really does hit hard such a killer video

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Net Flix Face Book

[@mtmustski]

Really cool to see how all the people interviewed are still so passionate about that game.

[@Ryan78900]

Haha cute :)

[@GadgetMartian]

Football was different and special back in the 80’s. A different experience! Great memories!! NFC battles!!!

[@PopOutPaulie]

Legend has it that it wasn't fog setting over the stadium. It was just the tension between Ditka and Buddy🤷🏾‍♂️

[@tehuti_tha_rebel]

I agree.

[@magictransistorradio4933]

Or William Perry farted

[@kalel311superman9]

well said

[@ifheavenwashuman]

Yet another reason why the 80s were just an absolutely beautiful time.

[@LoneLee2022]

The early 80's maybe.........................

[@ifheavenwashuman]

@@LoneLee2022 Even the chaos that occurred made it unique.

[@Eazy-ERyder]

I just LOVE these classic films. And this was DEFINITELY an epically classic game.

[@CS-np2oo]

I was 11 years old and saw this live on CBS...if you want say we saw much. Just glad to be blessed to have seen a historical game in NFL lore.

[@mrbig4532]

Me to I would turn 12 in February of 1988. I was and still am a huge eagles fan but was pissed that we threw the ball so much under those conditions.

[@varus113]

The balls of the eagles to throw for 400 yards in that fog just legendary

[@dwightlove3704]

That was the most amazing part for Cunningham to pull that off imagine if the game was fog free he would have thrown for 600 yds!!!!!

[@dwightlove3704]

@@mrirrelevant7875 Why just half if he threw for an extra 100 yds in a situation like this.I still think RC could have pulled it off.The Bears defense was not like that '85 unit.

[@hulk6785]

I just find it funny that a quarterback known for running threw for 400 yards in a game where no one could see.

[@patrickthomas8890]

@@hulk6785 He wasn’t just known for running. Just like Michael Vick, he also had an absolute cannon for an arm.

[@michaelkawell5861]

And they still think they got robbed.you throw for 400 yards and put up 12 points that's called not converting

[@gblful]

First time "And away he goes" actually makes sense to say!

[@thegadflygang5381]

I love Mike Ditka referring to both him and Buddy as "young" at that point. Buddy was in his 50s and Mike was pushing 50. It makes me feel a lot better about myself and my arrested development of maturity They have always been old to me, but I love em both. RIP Buddy and I hope Mike lives forever. The last of the real men and two great coaches

[@josephnicolino8529]

In 85 I think Ditka was 46 and Buddy was 57.

[@Hoops590]

I remember not seeing this game!

[@DaManAbove]

😂 😂

[@rte4634]

We are with you Steve McMichael. ALS is annihilating, but you are devastatingly more tough than that dreaded disease. Stay strong, you are an inspiration to all of us Bears fans.

[@KWCline91]

@Moon Cricket not funny

[@timg2088]

I remember this game well. My best friend was pulling for the Eagles, and he was absolutely furious the game wasn't cancelled. I kinda thought so too, but didn't really care who won. Great show, but they could've left the 'foggy effect' out when interviewing those who were there.

[@rp-ze3bp]

I don't like the Eagles, but they should have postponed the game. It was not fair for both teams, the fans and the audience watching the game on TV. I hated this game.

[@Ryan78900]

wow really

[@taocpa]

I remember this game. Trying to watch it was difficult for a fan of football. NFL Films does its usual excellent job capturing the essence of what happened.

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Oh gosh, how I remember this game. My Eagles were in the playoffs, and Buddy and Mike were going at it. I agree with the theory that they conjured it up. It was THE most frustrating football experience in my life just trying to watch the game. Bradshaw was an absolute hoot during the broadcast. I am proud to say I saw The Fog Bowl.

[@alexgall8785]

I'm sorry sir.

[@jpdemer5]

So you're the only one who did?

[@SRV2013]

I too watched this and I'm still angry they didn't stop the game.

[@gregory46236]

I so remember this game as well. Bears fan here.

[@jayfelsberg1931]

@@gregory46236 The whole second half was surreal! I really felt sorry for the Bears' fans, who are among the best in football. They were literally going crazy on TV trying to figure out what was going on.

[@mr.cheesekake9755]

Imagine seeing Mike Singletary as a quarterback and then him disappearing in the fog

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Pissing Singletary off was a path to destruction LOL

[@sparrow-we7ip]

I would’ve sacked myself tbh

[@babyfarksmgeezaks1037]

Scarier then any Hollywood script. Screw that.

[@marcusjones1432]

Imagine as a quarterback seeing him come out of the fog right at you, lol...

[@jayfelsberg1931]

@@marcusjones1432 Randall would always remember that moment

[@FelixvonSnidonkloffer-vg8fm]

Still have the VHS recording of the game. Buddy vs Ditka. Priceless.

[@thomasvanlee4465]

goddamit, they even got bill nye to explain fog

[@zachpate9172]

🤣🤣🤣

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Nye is a scientist like I was a linebacker on the '85 Bears.''

[@geerstyresoil3136]

I hate Bill Nye, such a fraudster

[@AnderWasTaken]

@@geerstyresoil3136how can you hate bill nye the science guy?

[@DaneTheMane1]

@@AnderWasTaken Bill nye says there are more than 2 genders lmao. Dudes an actor, not a scientist

[@xxphactor]

I remember watching it live! It was the coolest thing ever!

[@SaydoeDumpin]

ironic that you’re the fog, commenting on a video talking about a game played in the fog.

[@jamescook8786]

As a Chicago fan, I just remember that the 49ers beat our ass 28-3 in the NFC Championship game the following week.

[@joeblow6100]

right. lol same here

[@tlkert2782]

Reminds me of Field of Dreams. NFL got Field of Fog. I like how Eagles Coach didn't make excuses after the loss. His statement was perfect. There was fog on both sides of the field.

[@odysseus2656]

The Grey Cup game in Toronto in 1963 had the same problem. It got so thick that they called off the last 7 minutes of a close championship game and finished the game the next day. The great lakes can do this.

[@jdagreat4595]

What will pay to have this level of competitiveness and play in today’s NFL 🙌🏽

[@JB-wv9jo]

I love when I find a gem at 3:00 am something to fall asleep to with a little nostalgia

[@jermaynechapman1303]

I was a sixteen year Bears fan hoping for more '85 Bears magic. I don't know if we would have held off the Eagles with divine intervention. I remember a good chunk of the game was broadcast from the sidelines. It was crazy, but the commentators kept saying 'They can see each other even if we can't'. The NFL Film was great.

[@rustykuntz94]

You could really feel the true bond that Bears defense had with Buddy, especially Singletary, was like a Father son bond

[@JeepersCreepers2013]

I remember watching this game on TV and it was weird. But no way was anyone getting past the 49ers that year.

[@marblox9300]

This era was by far the most exiting era of the NFL. Hasn't been the same since.

[@chancekruse9570]

What Mike Singleterry said at the end about God try reach them was really cool, gave me goosebumps :) Some words from a man with strong faith.

[@mojojojo6400]

Amen!

[@fromulus]

I rememeber watching this game on TV, I was 11 or 12. I'd never remember if not for all the fog, it was basically impossible to tell what was happening.

[@SoapinTrucker]

I was almost 26 years old, I must have been partying that day/night, in Mayport Florida!

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Navy? Me too.

[@Tenskwatawa4U]

I just watched it all the way through here for the first time. When it was over I was, "42 minutes? NO WAY was that 42 minutes!!" My mind got blown.

[@canyonroots]

The players could see , but the announcers saw glimpses. As a vikings fan we watched in Minnesota, lots of fun.

[@joelgalvan8358]

I remember this game,sort of sort of hazy, great plays I missed.

[@brotherk57]

Cunningham should’ve just ran it every time if they couldn’t see him

[@johnliberty3647]

they could see each other on the field, they just couldn't see the entire field. I can't remember any specific plays but if I was calling plays I would have called many reverses or other such plays that took advantage of the width of the field making distances far enough away to where the other team might not know where the ball went.

[@dwightlove3704]

Brother K Cunningham threw for 400 yds in this game!!!!!

[@jonmolina948]

I think the defensive line and blitzing linebackers could see him. I think Randall couldn’t see the coverage. He was throwing to a spot.

[@dwightlove3704]

@@jonmolina948 That was the biggest problem with the development of Cunningham he had difficulty reading defensive coverages while in Philadelphia and that is why the Eagles never advanced beyond the first round of the NFC PLAYOFFS.

[@natebacon6205]

If Cunningham played today he would’ve been an all time great. They simplify didn’t know how to use him back then.

[@SpectroSwag12]

Bill Nye coming in clutch once again I love it

[@TheWopper78]

I grew up a Pack fan. Through to my core. I hated the bears. Especially that team. I’m 45 now, and I love each and every one of those warriors of the Midwest the monsters of the midway hell he’s I do. McMicheal is such a cool dude and Dan Hampton is freaking great! Mike Singletary is a force of nature and Neil Anderson was a wrecking ball!!!!! What a great team!

[@ravenmoon5111]

I remember them taking about how the passing game had just disappeared for both teams. It was surreal and in those days games were just not stopped for weather.

[@SpencerArinhaveamom]

This should be a movie

[@richardcheng7563]

You just can't get any better than the NFL Films. I loved watching this especially the Fog Bowl game between the Bears 🐻 and the Eagles 🦅 also Buddy vs Ditka.

[@Mynipplesmychoice]

B@ars are chubby dogs and it’s offensive when u use the b word. It’s like if I was to call u a spider monkey. Please the petition to change the name to chubby dogs. Please

[@jimtrack3786]

I was working my beer stand on the second level at the extreme south end of the stadium. My two coworkers and I watched it coming from the south windows which were huge. It rolled in fast. In minutes we could see nothing out the windows. I walked over to the closest field entrance and saw it pour over the seats like a slow moving waterfall. People vanished. It just blanketed everything and everyone.

[@daBEAGLE1017]

How were your sales that day?

[@LoneLee2022]

Da Bears!

[@daBEAGLE1017]

@@LoneLee2022 even with one of the worst records, it was a good season so far. Bear Down

[@kaosaelee8832]

I love NFL when there's a great story behind the games or a season!!!

[@jordanmaymusic]

Yoooo Mike Singletary’s comment at the end gave me Goosebumps. Praise God 🙏🏼

[@mojojojo6400]

Amen!

[@michaelharbuck7847]

I remember this game very well was a big Chicago fan and I watched the first half but after not being able to see the game and being nervous about the game being competitive I went out and us kids played our own game

[@GypsyEncounters]

I love seeing these interviews of linebackers after their playing days are well behind them. Age doesn't seem to affect stature.. Still HUGE fellas.

[@phillyeaglesphan]

Seth Joyner does pre/post game Eagles shows still and is 58 years old. He is still an absolute unit and still a very scary guy.

[@SaltyChip]

I bet being a fan at that game was similar to ones’ first plane ride. It’s something new and totally unique, yet you’ll be totally bored within 10 mins.

[@imsljr420]

well if those fans were like me, they would've been nervous and throwing up.

[@BennysThoughts]

It was like being in a sensory deprivation chamber. The announcer attempted to do play-by-play, but was often laughably wrong. And I remember the fans collectively booing the weather for many minutes.

[@mathwtajhtks]

@@BennysThoughts Remember?

[@BennysThoughts]

@@mathwtajhtks Yeah. I was there.

[@borger99]

I wish every game was like this. I’m a jets fan.

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

Excellent documentary

[@THE_IS300_KID]

die hard eagles fan here this one is GREAT, the story telling and the editing

[@carltonbanks2865]

Was there as an 11 yr old child, memories, only time I was in a stadium with Brown, White and Cunningham vs our Bears. It was damnear spooky, But we won, Butler was a always a hero in Chicago, unsung tho

[@guy.smiley]

I attended this game - December 31, 1988 - it was awesome! So much hype ahead of this game as Buddy Ryan was returning to face the Bears. The Bears were not quite at their best as Jim McMahon was hurt (he played sparingly in this game), as was Richard Dent. We were seated in the 3rd or 4th row in the south end zone, on the LH side of the tunnel as you look from the field through the uprights. A few distinct memories: 1) The crowd was fired up all game...awesome atmosphere 2) Todd Bell (Eagles) was screaming at the Bears sideline prior to the game - so loudly that we could hear it. I think he was yelling at Ditka or whoever decided to let him go from the team. He was FURIOUS - never saw anything like that before or since. 3) The Eagles had many chances to score TDs, but kept committing penalties, failing on short yardage or other mistakes - such as the drop by Keith Jackson that happened right in front of us near the end of Q2. 4) Late in the 2nd Quarter, I noticed what appeared to be smoke billowing from outside the stadium and slowly coming into it. By the time the Jesse White Tumblers finished performing at halftime, it was impossible to see 30 yards downfield (we were at ground level). 5) Due to the lack of vision, the only way to know what was happening was to hear the crowd cheering in whatever section was closest to the action - you had to be in the lower rows in order to see anything. Only a few people had portable TVs at the game, but those views were not too helpful. 6) I remember Maurice Douglass' interception to seal the game at the end of Q4, he intercepted the ball near the south end zone goal line , and we saw him run down the sideline on the east side of the stadium until the 15 yard line - where he disappeared into the fog...

[@CrazyWarVet]

Salute NFL films...i stay watching docs...keep them coming

[@danielnewton2390]

Football shot on film just looks better. What outstanding conditions for a football game.

[@BobbyJHeupel]

“Choking was something Ditka had been accused of…” I mean, great segue, but… that’s brutal. Haha

[@michaeluzoho5838]

The ending was dope tho, what Mike Singletary said, was 100% facts

[@TL2354]

Who’s a dope?

[@michaeluzoho5838]

@@TL2354 Dope as in cool

[@michaelleroy9281]

​@@michaeluzoho5838Dummies are also called Dopes

[@scottburns2600]

I remember this game well. Living in Chicago, the Ryan Ditka feud was very real. They flat-out hated each other

[@markmac2206]

i remember this game very clearly...well i remember watching it live.

[@rdf8689]

I remember this as a child! Absolutely awesome!

[@sgshumblecrumb6046]

It occurred to me....maybe the Eagles-Bears playoff game a few years ago that ended in a "double-doink" missed field goal by Cody Parky was affected by the same strange forces at from 1988 😱. Strange happenings and Soldier Field.

[@jonmolina948]

19:56 Ditka was wrong for that. Holding his 🥜 at Buddy.

[@therealjacobtv]

🤦🏾‍♂️😂

[@GuitarguyRichard56]

Insane they played that second half!

[@jbfarley]

Incorrect

[@DexterHaven]

5:26 one of my favorite players, a human torpedo on defense!! #45 Fencik

[@movingtrain1]

Me too but he liked hurting people. Him and Doug Plank (46) would knock out wide outs. It was in the day you could smash them.

[@DexterHaven]

@@movingtrain1 Yeah, Plank taught him how to play. That was the culture of defenses back then. Today, they would be more gentle and follow the rules.

[@Wolfie66]

I remember being home from college and watching (or not watching) this game with my dad.

[@DK-Metcalf-14]

This gave me chills

[@Imus-Kammer]

I love how even the commentary scenes were the individuals are talking to the cameraman is fog too

[@TheeDavidDee]

I remember watching this on TV as a 9-year-old-kid

[@raiderjohnthemadbomber8666]

On the West Coast the school districts added fog days to the schedule just for this type of fog. When you opened your front door and couldn't see the screen door you didn't go to school.

[@sylvandelacruz]

I've been watching classic football games and past Super Bowls leading up to this years Super Bowl, and this was the most entertaining video, I mean, just freakin amazing, funny, wild, intense, insightful. I loved that 85 Bears Team, and that Eagles Teams had a badass defense, I remember that. I grew up a Cowboys fan, but I just appreciate good pro football now. Thanks for posting this amazing game and story!!

[@johnsobey4261]

I remember watching that game..unbelievable

[@1223baddad]

We were married that day. The game went a little late, the priest told me to get my relatives in from the parking lot where they were listening to the game. "Mike, tell them we have the game here", as he pulled out a little black and white tv from under the altar. Most of the crowd laughed but there were a few gasps. Fun stuff.

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Now that is a ministry!!!!

[@trashstorage1468]

That’s a helluva story

[@Tenskwatawa4U]

I recall an NHL playoff game on TV in the old Aud in Buffalo - Sabres vs Flyers, May 20, 1975. 3rd game of the Stanley Cup finals. It was at least this foggy on the ice surface.

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Oh gosh I remember that game. I was pulling for my Flyers and here comes the fog! I thought of that when I watched the NFL game years later.

[@Tenskwatawa4U]

@@jayfelsberg1931 I was watching that game on vacation in Nags Head, NC.

[@GarrusN7]

Wow I didn't know the whole backstory for this game. Great stuff.

[@Dre2Dee2]

It took me a while to place it, but I knew Ditka reminded me of someone in this vid: Ulysses Grant. The cigar absolutely seals it.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

I’m surprised no known fog game ever happened in San Francisco.

[@jpowers55]

wouldn't have mattered since the game was played in Chicago.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

@@jpowers55 Not my point…

[@jmcghane]

Now that you mention it, if any place that should have fog it should've been Candlestick at the time. Maybe it was an act of God.

[@houseofchinn6112]

@@jpowers55 r/woosh

[@tancredifalconeri7419]

Like they said at the beginning of the video, it's not just a city used to have fog (I'm assuming San Francisco is because of your comment) but several specific conditions must happen all at once to have a fog that thick just on the field. This makes this story even more incredible if you consider that it hasn't happened again even in Chicago.

[@koryclarke1991]

Packers and Cowboys played in the Ice Bowl, Bears and Eagles played in the Fog Bowl.

[@shakiemjeanjoseph428]

Love to learn the history of NFL football

[@jasonjones4695]

I remember watching that game live on tv lol

[@edupbeat]

how is it that Jim Grey is at EVERY major sporting event from the past 40 years??

[@MrTUBEular10]

He can't keep getting away with this! 😭😭😭 I had the same reaction.

[@fishercourt]

I know, right! I’m glad to see other guys had that same thought. 🌫😶‍🌫️🏈🏟🤔😝

[@alexfranklin3502]

Jim Zelig Grey

[@TheJShield]

*Gray

[@michaelsmeltz2363]

As a life-long Eagles fan, I believed going into that game that the Eagles had the better team and we’re going to win, and when the fog appeared, I felt like we were about to be robbed. In 2017, when we finally made it to the Superboel, I absolutely expected another natural phenomenon to suddenly appear to deny us another victory. But the Eagles finally had the football gods on our side.

[@marblox9300]

Superboel.??? That's epic.!!!

[@opieutt9038]

"Those two guys churned up that fog". 😂😜

[@AirWireTech]

"I am the night-color me black", Rod Serling's Twlight Zone

[@paysonfox88]

Nobody will ever realize how good Randall Cunningham was in that game. He threw for over 400 yards, but nobody saw it. Do you know how hard it is to throw for 400 yd when it's clear and everybody can see? He threw for 400 yards and multiple touchdowns when he could barely see his receivers at all. There were some deep throws I guarantee he couldn't see anybody and was going off of timing.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

As was mentioned several times during the game, the players didn't seem to be too bothered by it.

[@paysonfox88]

@@indy_go_blue6048 it shows you how technically correct and timing based these guys are. Even back in the 70s and 1980s the routes and the timing were so precise that you really could do a lot of it with your eyes closed.

[@dwightlove3704]

@@paysonfox88 I think Cunningham could have taken down the all time mark for passing yds held by Norm Van Brocklin 554.

[@TL2354]

You don’t know how hard it is to do that

[@mccards]

Awesome work by John Cusack here. Narration 1000.

[@cwparadis]

The NFL has changed so much since then. Today I'm sure they would postpone or delayed the game.

[@kyledabearsfan]

Honestly i respect both coaches saying "let them play", at least in spirit. Definitely one of the most unique games ever. The star power on the field for that game is wild too.

[@apocyldoomer]

Man, I remember watching that crazy game on TV in Philly.

[@76JStucki]

Pre-injury Randall Cunningham was the most electrifying QB I have ever seen

[@brianhardesty8222]

Hell even post injury Randall was awesome

[@LoneLee2022]

Remember he was their leading rusher?

[@marcarturi2137]

I was doing a radio remote at a large furniture store in Chicago, I still remember the erie scene of every screen in the TV department with the Fog Bowl on it! I don't think the guy sold on TV that day!

[@Kirbybros1]

With the talks of Chicago moving from Solider Fields, to Arlington heights. You miss out on a chance for some of the most iconic weather games in NFL history without it.

[@gogreen7794]

A pro football stadium should NEVER move to the 'burbs!

[@TheParris1]

Itt was nice to see Steve McMichael s on this,great,player, great man,was a great friend to me in Austin Tx. Lately 90's early 2000,

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Ming the Merciless at his best

[@lastonestanding3417]

Yeah, I remember trying to watch this game on tv. The ground level camera shots were the best.

[@stevecowder4774]

This is a classic, one of a kind game that I’d love to see over again, even though you can’t see hardly anything 😆. It was SO surreal and bizarre. Just great, unforgettable stuff from the past.

[@jrutt2675]

Mike Singletary's response to the reason was epic! Our heavenly father works in all things!

[@PistolP33]

even tho the fog affected both teams equally, the team ahead prior to the arrival of the fog had an insupperable advantage

[@theresabass685]

Man o Man I’ve forgotten how great this game was even tho I couldn’t see squat either! I was mad as hell in the first quarter of this game because of all the penalties I thought the refs had the fix in. When the fog rolled in it made the game completely fair. Who was gonna call a penalty then. This game was more fun now then it was when played. Ditka and Ryan learned a valuable lesson from it. 😂🏈

[@michaelcatalano6208]

Imagine betting on the over before the game started haha

[@ericradford2142]

Don’t forget the bogus in-the-grasp call against Cunningham.

[@TL2354]

Only 1 referee in each game

[@steveniemyer9288]

I remember watching, or trying to watch, that game on TV as a sophomore in high school.

[@evanwallace8683]

You can't get any more greatness in a single video, NFL Films, football and Bill Nye

[@brianbechtel3]

🐂💩 Bill Nye the bowtie wearing science lie. The failed actor, turned "scientist". 😂🤣😂 Believing anything out of his mouth is like believing the NFL's not rigged...cute but pathetic

[@jbfarley]

​@brianbechtel3 idiot