In a cheap marketing ploy, the Bears have announced they will wear the visually nauseating alternate orange uniforms instead of their traditional blues Sunday versus the San Francisco 49ers. The change comes as a slap in the face to traditionalists who have grown used to seeing the Monsters of the Midway in the uniforms they’ve been wearing since the 1950s.
Sunday won’t be the first time the Bears take the field in their carroty tops. They wore them for just one season, 1936, before they pulled them out of storage for last year’s game versus the 49ers. Mark Davidson, 93, recalls both occasions.
“Perhaps my generation can get a pass considering we were going through the Great Depression,” Davidson said. “Hell, even in the middle of the Depression we came to our senses after one season. I was hoping they would realize their mistake after the game last year.”
Perhaps the Bears are willing to look bad in exchange to repeat history? When the bright orange uniforms were worn during the 2005 Niners contest, history was made. The game was highlighted by Nathan Vasher’s NFL record long play, a missed FG that was returned for a 108-yard touchdown in a 17-9 Bears win.
