Highlights from the 1990s
The Bears made playoff appearances in 1990 and 1991. The 1992 season was marked by the retirement of Mike Singletary, the end of the Mike Ditka era and Kevin Butler becoming the club's all-time scoring leader. Dave Wannstedt was named the 11th coach in team history in 1993 and led the Bears to back-to-back winning seasons in 1994 and 1995. The uniform numbers of Dick Butkus (51) and Gale Sayers (40) were retired in 1994. The team moved into its new headquarters, Halas Hall at Conway Park, on March 3, 1997. The Bears became the first franchise in NFL history to win 600 games; number 600 was a 13-7 win over Tampa Bay at Soldier Field (11-23-97). On August 1, 1998, Mike Singletary became the 24th Bear inducted into the NFL Hall-of-Fame, the most of any franchise.
6/6/90
Andy McKenna and Patrick G. Ryan, two Chicago businessmen, purchase approximately 20% (total) of the Bears from the McCaskeys.
1990
Bears regain NFC Central Title with 11-5 mark, and beat the the Saints 16-6 in First Round playoff game before falling to eventual Super Bowl Champion NY Giants, 31-3, in Dan Hampton's final game.
12/8/91
Mike Ditka wins his 100th regular season game as the Bears' head coach with a 27-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field.
1991
Chicago finishes 11-5 and earns a Wild Card berth in the playoffs. The Bears are upset in the First Round by the Dallas Cowboys, 17-13, at Soldier Field.
10/4/92
Kevin Butler becomes the Bears all-time leading scorer with a 50-yard FG. He surpasses Walter Payton's 750 points.
12/13/92
In Mike Singletary's final home game, the Bears upset AFC Central champion Pittsburgh Steelers, 30-6.
1/19/93
Dave Wannstedt is hired as the 11th head coach in club history.
10/3/93
The Bears play their 1,000th game in franchise history, shutting out the Atlanta Falcons in Soldier Field, 6-0.
1993
Bears conclude Wannstedt's rookie season with 7-9 record. 10/31/94-Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers have their jersey numbers (51 and 40) retired at halftime before a Monday night national audience.
12/24/94
Kevin Butler becomes the first Bear to surpass the 1,000 point mark with his first quarter FG vs. New England.
1/1/95
9-7 Bears earn a Wild Card berth and upset the Vikings with a 35-18 playoff win at Minnesota.
5/12/95
Michael McCaskey announces plans for a new $20 million state-of-the-art Bears' headquarters at the ground-breaking ceremony in Lake Forest.
1995
Bears win final two games to finish 9-7 but are eliminated on final day as Falcons upset 49ers to earn final post-season spot.
3/3/97
Bears move into Halas Hall at Conway Park, the team's state-of-the-art, 38-acre headquarters. All team operations are under one roof in Lake Forest, 4 miles west of the original Halas Hall.
11/23/97
The Bears defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-7 for the 600th win in team history. Chicago becomes the first NFL franchise to reach the 600-win plateau.
12/28/98
After six seasons and a 41-57 record, Dave Wannstedt's coaching tenure ends.
1/24/99
Dick Jauron is hired as the 12th head coach in club history.
2/4/99
Ted Phillips is promoted to President and CEO, becoming the fourth in team history.
11/1/99
Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton dies at the age of 45. The Bears name the Halas Hall indoor facility in his honor the following off-season.
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