![]() ![]() That same year the team went 1-13, the worst record in franchise history. It continued with the unremarkable Rufus Mayes in 1969. It started with 1st round bust Mike Hull that year, a failed attempt to help replace the injury-riddled Sayers. What followed was one of the ugliest strings of drafting Chicago would endure. This was something Halas had wanted to do, handing the business off to his son. and Director of Player Personnel Bobby Watson taking greater control of the team’s direction. Halas began to wind down his career and retired from coaching after the 1967 season. ![]() That would prove to be the high water mark though. Halas, their indomitable founder, delivered his final masterstroke in the GM capacity a year later when he secured linebacker Dick Butkus and running back Gale Sayers with consecutive picks. They needed fresh blood to carry them into the next generation. They were the defending champions going into 1964 but it was clear that the team was starting to age. ![]() The Dark AgesĪt the same time, Finks was seeing his NFL career enter its biggest phase, the Chicago Bears were watching an era of glory come to an end. The team interested in his services? None other than the Minnesota Vikings. After going 10-4 in 1963, their best record under his direction, he was lured back to the United States. The first time that had happened since the end of the 1940s. Then in 19, they made it to the Semi-Finals. Within three years, he had the team back in the playoffs. With his help, the organization would embark on a massive turnaround. Thus that same year in 1957 he became their general manager. It was there that people noticed the man had an impressive eye for scouting. This led to an opportunity to become a player-coach for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League. He went to Notre Dame where he became a coach that year. Keep in mind this was a Steelers franchise that let Johnny Unitas slip through their fingers.įinks wasn’t discouraged though. It’s fair to wonder if his playing career might’ve gone differently had he ended up on a better team. Finks steadily regressed over the next three years, throwing more and more interceptions until he was finally released in 1956. Unfortunately, that would prove to be his career peak. He had a reasonably good year, throwing for 2,307 yards with 20 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions. That changed in 1952 when he became the starter. He spent his first three years as a backup with only minimal playing time. So one could say the fates were lining up for Finks.įinks did enough in college to become a 12th round pick in the 1949 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. All while running the T-formation offense, which Halas had made famous in Chicago during that era. He was named All-Conference twice and set multiple school records. This success earned him a scholarship at Tulsa where he starred at quarterback. The year before, he’d helped them win their last regional championship. In addition, he was also captain of the basketball team as a senior. He was the school’s quarterback and punter, winning All-State honors in 1945. He was quite the athlete during his time there, starring in two sports. There the traits that would eventually make him a success in professional sports began to emerge. Hoping for opportunities elsewhere, his parents moved the family to Salem, Illinois where he would attend high school. A time when many of the desires of a successful life seemed like a lost dream. The stock market crashed just two years later and Finks spent his childhood growing up in the heart of the Great Depression. He soon learned the values of how to survive tough times. As with anything earthshaking, there are several factors that will be explored. ![]()
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