Steve McMichael's Tales from the Chicago Bears Sideline [Hardcover]

Steve McMichael (Author), Mike Ditka (Foreword), Phil Ariva (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

Former Chicago Bears star Steve McMichael takes readers through the most vibrant years of a charter NFL franchise—as seen through the eyes of a legendary carouser. His no-holds-barred practice habits and fondness for after-hours merriment moved his first NFL bosses with the New England Patriots to label him part of "the criminal element" in the league before they waived him prior to his second season. He was a much better fit for a Bears team that was still under the watchful gaze of its tough-as-nails founder, George Halas, and in the process of developing its revolutionary "46" defense under Buddy Ryan. McMichael was witness to the last days of Neill Armstrong’s ill-fated coaching regime, all of Mike Ditka’s tempestuous tenure, and Dave Wannstedt’s rookie season in charge. He covers it all, from training camp misadventures in Lake Forest, Illinois, and Platteville, Wisconsin and Ditka’s locker room tirades to nights on the town with Dan Hampton and friends and behind-the-scenes glimpses of extraordinary teammates, including Hall of Famers Hampton, Walter Payton, and Mike Singletary. McMichael relives his week in New Orleans—the perfect party town for the perfect party team—before the Bears won Super Bowl XX in dominating fashion. Steve McMichael’s Tales from the Bears Sideline recounts the rivalries with Green Bay and San Francisco, the rise to stardom of William "Refrigerator" Perry, and the Grammy-nominated team video, the "Super Bowl Shuffle," which McMichael loathed. He revisits all the reasons the team failed to win a couple more titles—from Jim McMahon vs. Doug Flutie to everybody vs. Michael McCaskey, the late Halas’s Yale-educated grandson and successor. McMichael watched training camp in Platteville become a carnival, literally, and watched the Bears at the end of his career from a most unexpected vantage point: through the facemask of a Green Bay Packers helmet.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve McMichael played 13 seasons for the Chicago Bears, twice reaching the Pro Bowl and four times being named All-Pro. He played in 191 games with the Bears, more than anyone else in the teamÂ’s history and all of them consecutively. He joined the Bears in 1981, helping to form the core of a defense that in the Â’80s set NFL records for sacks and fewest points allowed in a season. While McMichael was a Bear the team won six NFC Central Division titles and the 1986 Super Bowl and went to the NFC championship game three times. The Texas native now lives in Chicago with his wife, Misti.

Phil Arvia has been a sportswriter at the Daily Southtown in Tinley Park, Illinois, since 1987. His columns have earned national recognition in the annual Associated Press Sports Editors writing competition, and first-place awards from the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association (2002) and Chicago Headline Club (2001). The lifelong resident of Thornton, Illinois, still lives there with his wife.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Sports Publishing LLC (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582618003
• ISBN-13: 978-1582618005
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,015,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Football Fans Will Enjoy This Book..., September 22, 2004

By 

William E. Maloney - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steve McMichael's Tales from the Chicago Bears Sideline (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it will especially appeal to Chicago Bears fans, any football-lover will also find it to be a great read. Steve McMichael was always one of the more colorful players on and off the field, and he tells the story in similar irreverent fashion. The book follows McMichael's career chronologically from childhood through college to the NFL, with a brief stop in New England before his long great career with the Bears. The 1985-86 Super Bowl season is recalled in the most depth, with the behind the scenes story of each week's Bears game. McMichael tells it all in a funny and insightful manner. I have also been a big fan of co-author sportswriter Phil Arvia for many years. Also not afraid to tell it like it is, he and McMichael are a great team.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun for Chicago Bears' fans, but a bit underdeveloped, April 3, 2010

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steve McMichael's Tales from the Chicago Bears Sideline (Hardcover)

Hey, I'm an old time Chicago Bears' fan. I started following them in my childhood in the 1950s. In elementary school, we'd talk knowingly of Harlon Hill, Ed Brown, and other worthies (not having TV, of course, I never saw these athletes in action).

Steve McMichael, one of the characters from the Bears' last championship team in the 1980s, has authored this book. He traces his involvement in football from when he was young through college to his being drafted by the New England Patriots. After a forgettable rookie season, he was cut, with his coach referring to him as part of the "criminal element" in football. The Bears showed an interest and he went there, with results well known thereafter.

The book is filled with quite a few anecdotes and it makes quick reading. If you want anything profound, you aren't likely to find it here. But the book is a lot of fun--especially if you are a fan of the "Monsters of the Midway."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steve "MONGO" or "Ming" McMichael, June 7, 2007

By 

Robb Tavill "chitownman" (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steve McMichael's Tales from the Chicago Bears Sideline (Hardcover)

This is an incredible insight into the career of Steve McMichael. He was a key member of the Super Bowl XX winning team. Steve is very forth coming in this book and tells the tales with his passion that only Steve is able to. If you have not read or obtain this book, it is definitely a must have for any true Chicago Bears Fan. I read this from cover to cover and had a difficult time putting it down. This book gives you more insight on this player as a person and star. It just adds to the love that I have for that very special team. There will never be another team quite like the '85 Bears and I am glad to be of fan of this team still to this day. Thanks Steve for the insight on you.