"85: The Greatest Team in Football History" to Premiere at Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will host a world premiere of a new documentary about the 1985 Chicago Bears on Wednesday, Jan. 3. “‘85: THE GREATEST TEAM IN FOOTBALL HISTORY” focuses on the Super Bowl XX championship team that dominated on, and off, the field with a colorful cast of characters.

Two Bears legends from that magical team – Hall of Fame defensive lineman DAN HAMPTON and quarterback Jim McMahon – will be on hand for the premiere that will take place at Umstattd Hall, located adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Actor Matt Walsh (“Veep”), who narrated the film, will lead a panel discussion with the Bears legends, the documentary’s director Scott Prestin, and Hall of Fame Executive Director and noted historian Joe Horrigan in the Hall of Fame’s Event Center following the premiere. The talk will be streamed live by Hall of Fame Productions through the Hall’s website at ProFootballHOF.com. Earlier in the day, Hampton and McMahon will be featured on the weekly Pro Football Hall of Fame Radio on SiriusXM hosted by Horrigan, Hall of Fame selector Howard Balzer and Gold Jacket co-host JAMES LOFTON. The program re-airs numerous times during the week.

“‘85: THE GREATEST TEAM IN FOOTBALL HISTORY” profiles the Bears team that took the country by storm through their outstanding play on the football field and fun personalities off the field. The film profiles the likes of WALTER PAYTON, McMahon, William “The Refrigerator” Perry, Coach MIKE DITKA and chronicles their journey to victory and pop culture fame. 

The documentary, directed by Prestin and produced by Prestin, Rich Lenkov, Tom Pellegrini, and Otis Wilson, includes interviews with members of the ’85 team including Hall of Famers MIKE SINGLETARY, HAMPTON, and DITKA plus McMahon, Steve McMichael, Willie Gault, and Wilson. Perspectives were captured on camera from other NFL legends Phil Simms and Hall of Fame quarterback DAN MARINO, along with famous Chicagoans like President Barack Obama, actor Bill Murray, sports commentator Michael Wilbon, journalist Bill Kurtis, sportscaster Chris Myers, and Reverend Jesse Jackson. The documentary, produced by Chila Productions, is presented by Screen Media Films and Fathom Events.

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame is thrilled to premiere this great documentary before it is shared with football fans across the country,” Hall of Fame Chief Operating Officer and Executive Producer George Veras stated. “This film perfectly aligns with our mission to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote it Values and Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE!”

The ‘85 Bears finished with a regular season record of 15-1-0 followed by back-to-back shutout victories over the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs. The team then won the biggest game of their lives on the grandest stage in pro sports with a 46-10 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

Made by Chicagoans for all football fans especially those who love Chicago Bears football, the film shares how this unforgettable team launched an iconic 1980s music video and inspired the “Saturday Night Live” sketch ‘Da Bears.’

“‘85: THE GREATEST TEAM IN FOOTBALL HISTORY” will be shown in more than 260 theaters nationwide on January 29. A trailer about the Pro Football Hall of Fame, “The Most Inspiring Place on Earth!” will precede the showing of the film. Information about participating theaters and tickets can be found at FathomEvents.com

Official Trailer