November 26, 2011 – United Football League (UFL)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – Saturday, November 26, 2011 – Former Hartford Colonials quarterback JOSH McCOWN, the United Football League’s leading passer during the 2010 season, has signed with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.

McCown, who played for Hartford in 2010 despite being offered a contract by the Bears prior to UFL season kickoff, led the UFL in passer rating (79.3) and yards per attempt (7.24) that season. He was tied for first in touchdown passes (10), set new league single-game records for passer rating (137.4 vs. the Sacramento Mountain Lions in Week 1) and completion percentage (88.0 at the Omaha Nighthawks in Week 2) and completed a UFL longest pass, an 80-yard touchdown to running back Lorenzo Booker in the season-opener.

McCown opened the 2010 UFL season completing 33 of 46 attempts for 529 yards, 5 touchdowns, no interceptions and a 146.0 passer rating in his first two games. He started all eight Colonials games in 2010 after playing in three contests and throwing six passes with the Carolina Panthers.

McCown was with the San Francisco 49ers in August and at the time said: “I think I’m further along now than I would have been if I would have just sat on an (NFL) roster last year and been a backup because I played eight games. I think you’re only getting better when you’re taking reps, so I really valued that.”

McCown passed for 6,584 yards and 35 touchdowns in eight NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2002-05), Detroit Lions (2006), Oakland Raiders (2007) and Panthers (2008-2009).

He joins former Sacramento Mountain Lions passer RICHARD BARTEL, who threw his first NFL career touchdown pass last week for the Arizona Cardinals, and 2009 UFL Championship Game winner J.P. LOSMAN (Las Vegas Locos 2009) of the Miami Dolphins among former UFL quarterbacks currently on active NFL rosters.

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• Former UFL QB McCown Signs with Chicago Bears – UFL

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

By Steve von Horn

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Nov 3, 2011 – Dynamic Chicago Bears return man Devin Hester has been named October’s NFC Special Teams Player of the Month, according to Bears reporter Zach Zaidman. This is not Hester’s first “rodeo,” as he has won the award two previous times during his NFL career. This may not seem like a monumental achievement, but Zaidman puts the accomplishment in perspective:

 

 

For a legacy franchise in the NFL, this is no small honor. During the month of October, Hester had a 69-yard punt return for a TD against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, and a 98-yard kickoff return for a TD against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6. Hester broke the NFL record for punt return TDs, a record previously shared Eric Metcalf, with his 11th punt return for TD in that Week 4 game. 

There is no doubt we have been witnesses to the greatest return man the NFL has ever seen, and Hester continues to pile up the awards to go along with his on-field accomplishments as a returner.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Read More: Devin Hester (WR – CHI), Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers

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LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Chicago Bears have released veteran safety Chris Harris after he asked for a trade, ending his second run with the team.

Harris started in the Bears’ 24-18 victory over Tampa Bay in London on Sunday with Major Wright nursing a hip injury. He had been benched for the Bears’ win over Minnesota the previous week.

That led to him requesting to be dealt, something that did not happen before the trade deadline. Harris had missed three games with a hamstring injury and struggled in a Monday night loss to Detroit before that Vikings game.

The Bears announced the move on Thursday. Harris was in his second stint with the Bears after being traded back from Carolina last year.

Although every team has its share of embarrassing moments, the Chicago Bears have a largely illustrious history. One of the NFL’s most storied franchises, the Bears are best known for their contributions to the game’s traditions, not the NFL Films blooper reel. Nevertheless, the Bears have had some embarrassing moments. Here’s a list of three that come to mind:

Bears Draft Cade McNown

One of the Chicago Bears’ most embarrassing plays of all time didn’t even occur on the field. Instead, the decision to draft Cade McNown in the first round of 2000 draft with the 12^th overall pick. McNown was a total disaster on the field, logging 19 interceptions but just 3,111 passing yards over three seasons. McNown also appeared to alienate his teammates with his arrogant personality. McNown turned out to be a long three year embarrassment for the Bears.

Holding Call Reverses Knox Return

Down 17-27 to their rival Green Bay Packers, the Bears called one of the coolest, most successful plays in history. The Packers punted the ball, and the whole stadium expected return mastermind Devin Hester(notes) to field the punt and try to work his magic. With all eyes on him, Hester ran up to the center of the field and appeared to prepare to take a fair catch. But the punt had sailed toward the sideline, where Johnny Knox(notes) caught the ball and sped to the endzone. So what’s so embarrassing? The Bears were called for holding, nullifying one of the coolest plays in NFL history. You can watch the video here.

Smith’s Second Touchdown Catch

In the Bears’ 2006 NFC Championship matchup against the Carolina Panthers, the Bears defense was embarrassed by an early 58-yard touchdown strike to Panthers receiver Steve Smith. But the defense’s embarrassment peaked in the second half. Smith caught a 39-yard touchdown pass from Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme(notes), demonstrating the Bears’ total inability to make adjustments over halftime in order to prevent the obvious big play potential of the Panthers’ offense.

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