Former Bears GM Jerry Vainisi dies at age 80

Jerry Vainisi (Google Images)

According to Andrew Seligman of the Associated Press, former Chicago Bears General Manager Jerry Vainisi of Chicago, Illinois passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday. Vainisi was the Bears general manager from 1983 to 1987.

During Vainisi’s time as general manager, the Bears won Super Bowl XX. In a dominant Super Bowl performance, the Bears clobbered the New England Patriots 46-10.

What the Bears were known for in 1986 was their defense. especially their incredible defensive line. The Patriots only had seven rushing yards, the fewest rushing yards by one team in Super Bowl history. The Bears also had a Super Bowl record seven quarterback sacks and four forced fumbles.

Three Bears players on the defensive line in Super Bowl XX went on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They were defensive lineman Dan Hampton of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, defensive end Richard Dent of Atlanta, Georgia, and middle linebacker Mike Singletary of Houston, Texas. Dent was the Super Bowl XX most valuable player. On offense, the Bears were led by future Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton of Columbia, Mississippi, who had 22 carries for 61 yards, and wide receiver Willie Gault of Griffin, Georgia, who had four catches for 129 yards.

In addition to being the Bears general manager, Vainisi was the Bears treasurer from 1972 to 1982. After his time as the Bears general manager, Vainisi was the general manager of the Detroit Lions from 1987 to 1990. In that time period, the Lions drafted running back Barry Sanders, the fifth best player of all-time. Ironically, Payton is the sixth best on our list.

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