11/05/24
November 12, 2010
Jim McMahon Can't Remember 1985 Games: Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon is working with the Sports Legacy Institute on the concussion crisis in sports. McMahon, 51, suffers daily bouts of memory loss and couldn't answer a reporter's question about his gamous comeback win over Minnesota in the 1985 season. I've been hit in the head so many times, it's hard to remember that far back," he said. "I don't remember specific games."
I remember the 1993 season when he was with the Vikings (probably better than he does). I don't remember which game it was, but he got knocked around a lot, and clearly showed all the signs of a concussion (including a totally spaced-out look on his face on the sideline). He looked so goofy in that one camera shot that I wondered if he could even throw the ball straight. Yet Dennis Green put him back in the game, and nobody really thought much of it, except from an "is this our best chance to win?" standpoint. I don't think they won that game, either.
I can guarantee that would *never* happen today without it causing a major controversy.
posted by TheQatarian at 03:59 PM on November 12, 2010
Wish I could forget that Superbowl too.
posted by yerfatma at 04:42 PM on November 12, 2010
Jim McMahon is one of my favorite players of all times.
My favorite story, which I do not remember hearing about at the time, is when he visited the White House after Superbowl XXXI. He just won the Superbowl as a back-up QB with the Packers in his final year. It was his first time visiting the White House. The Bears never made it after Superbowl XX because of scheduling problems.
Since he valued the Bears' Superbowl win and never got his White House visit, he wore his Bears jersey to the White House on the Packers visit. Of course, he never played for Green Bay again.
I've surfed the web looking for pictures, but never found any. If anyone knows of any, I would appreciate it.
posted by Aardhart at 11:19 PM on November 12, 2010
God Bless Jim and his Family,
I'm blessed to live 50 years. Tough game.
j
posted by JohnEBGood at 01:10 AM on November 13, 2010
I don't remember more than a couple minutes of 1985 myself. That was a long damned time ago. And I don't think I was hit in the head once that year.
posted by bobfoot at 01:39 AM on November 13, 2010
I remember McMahon and the Bears beating the Cowboys in 1985. 44-0. One of my dorm buddies at Stephen F. Austin was a huge Bears fan, the sorry bastard.
posted by rcade at 07:43 AM on November 13, 2010
You mean to tell me that all these years, all I've needed was repeated sharp blow to the head, and I would've been able to forget the Superbowl Shuffle? NOW you tell me...
posted by MeatSaber at 07:53 AM on November 13, 2010
Always was a fan, but thought it was exposure to a different type of blow, among other recreational pursuits, that contributed to his poor mental health (at least in part).
posted by MW12 at 08:49 AM on November 13, 2010
Hopefully Goodell can use this as another opportunity to tell everyone how much he cares about players while also pushing for adding two more regular season games.
posted by brainofdtrain at 01:15 PM on November 13, 2010
If he sticks with the institute and can get more retired players involved, it will be interesting to see how much deterioration takes place and what parts of the brain are affected. The more subjects studied the more info gathered.