That was the greatest run of all time!! Walter was so fun to watch, I feel honored to have been able to watch him every Sunday as a young man, he was special, A ONE OF A KIND! RIP MY HERO!
I can still see Greg Latta wide open down the middle of the field. I was 16 at the time and knew I just saw a miracle Bears win. Walter Payton was truly the most exciting player ever to watch... what a game!!
As young farm kid from Wisconsin, and having a father who bled green & gold, I happened to turn the TV on and this Greg Latta touchdown took place. With God as my witness, this was the exact moment I became a lifetime Bear fan! Infact, Greg Latta was my first sports hero that I can remember. I was able to meet him in the early 80's and share this story with him. He was a complete class act and will forever be my first hero !
What a great memory!!! And what a treat to hear the great Joe McConnell again. For years, I was oblivious to the TV feed, opting instead for Joe McConnell and Brad Palmer on News Radio 78. Wayne Larrivee did a great job,but I always longed for McConnell and Palmer, especially during the '85 championship season.
Thank you very much. There was some irony in this. The year Joe and I replaced Jack Brickhouse and Irv Kupcinet (1977), the Bears made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. Naturally, they had some misgivings about that. But when Michael McCaskey opted to move the Bears back to WGN following the 1984 season, it gave me the opportunity to move to Channel 7. It proved to be a great career move for me and my family.
The cherry on top of Walters incredible runs, was that Brad was there to call em! High energy, extreme excitement (just like Walter) boy, I sure was spoiled as a kid growing up in Bears country back then. DAMN PROUD TOO!
+fan4life34 Appreciate the kudos, but Joe McConnell is the man deserving of them. He did the play-by-play. I did the color and analysis. To me, Joe was the best when it came to football play-by-play on radio. The best baseball broadcaster I ever heard was Vin Scully. Chick Hearn was the best at basketball.
Funny how Bear fans born in the 60s remember every important moment of '77 season; our 1st year with hope. Payton was deep to return that final KC kick; maybe that's why the short kickoff. Latta was every bit as wide open as you guys made him sound
I was living in an apartment in Evanston. I screamed "it's a miracle!" when Latta caught the pass. And I heard someone maybe two stories about yelling the same thing.
The way Brad called a game, you didn't really need to watch it, he painted the picture in my mind perfectly, however, no way, no how, did I ever want to miss watching the greatest player to ever put on the uniform, carry that football. There will never be another like him.
...I know this is cliché, but, I have no recollection of who called this game on NBC television...I usually...more often than not, turned down the sound of the TV and listened to the "biased" call of WBBM radio. ...this was perhaps (in terms of importance) the greatest comeback (yes, even greater than the '71 Vikings comeback) in Bears history...in the modern era anyways. ...the Avellini to Latta TD, as the great John Facenda once narrated; "was the play all of Chicago had been waiting for". ...classic McConnell & Palmer.
This was my first year of watching the Bears,I remember this game well,wasn't the norm back then to see comebacks like this.Nowadays it's kind of the norm,I think it's because all the(current day) teams are so close (watered down talent wise) talent wise,were in the era of para-die football in my opinion,I really miss the days when teams slowly rised and slowly fell (as they aged) and the good teams usually won when the playoffs came around.No one expected the Bears to beat the Cowboys in the playoffs that year and the bears were beat convincingly.
If you want to see the Latta TD catch, type in this title in the search bar... A Season in the Sun- 1977 Chicago Bears... and you can also find it here... Turning Point to the Playoffs-1977
Thank you very much for the information. It brought back a lot of great memories, that being our first season doing the Bears broadcasts on WBBM. For me, the Bob Thomas field goal was the single greatest moment in our 8 years doing the games.
As A Redskin Native America That #34 with those Bad News Bears and the Bare Nessesties Walter was all they had And they still Stop him he ran every down..Take away From Jim Browns The OJ Simpsons But the Greatest I've ever seen Is that one man Offense that couldn't be stopped...Nobody would've started 13 years on AstroTurf And never missed a game ...Hail to the Sweet one.the best ever...Bar none!
Brandon, I'm so glad you were able to come across what had to be your dad's most memorable moment as a Chicago Bear. Wish I'd been able to find the video, but Joe McConnell did a great job of describing it. I don't recollect having heard about your dad's passing 20 years ago. And 5 years later, your friend, Jarrett Payton, lost his dad. I was fortunate to have known them both. We shared some fun times.
Brad Palmer...surely you jest Brad...that catch Latta made against the Rams in '77 (Namath's last game) was epic! ...everyone in Soldier Field were on their feet. ...ok, the Chiefs game was his greatest...but that 40 yard bomb he caught from Avellini in the pouring rain on MNF was pure clutch!
That was the greatest run of all time!! Walter was so fun to watch, I feel honored to have been able to watch him every Sunday as a young man, he was special, A ONE OF A KIND! RIP MY HERO!
I can still see Greg Latta wide open down the middle of the field. I was 16 at the time and knew I just saw a miracle Bears win. Walter Payton was truly the most exciting player ever to watch... what a game!!
I’m so glad our Bears built a champion for Payton. Just watching him run gives me chills. He just never stopped!!
As young farm kid from Wisconsin, and having a father who bled green & gold, I happened to turn the TV on and this Greg Latta touchdown took place.
With God as my witness, this was the exact moment I became a lifetime Bear fan! Infact, Greg Latta was my first sports hero that I can remember. I was able to meet him in the early 80's and share this story with him. He was a complete class act and will forever be my first hero !
What a great memory!!! And what a treat to hear the great Joe McConnell again. For years, I was oblivious to the TV feed, opting instead for Joe McConnell and Brad Palmer on News Radio 78. Wayne Larrivee did a great job,but I always longed for McConnell and Palmer, especially during the '85 championship season.
Thank you very much. There was some irony in this. The year Joe and I replaced Jack Brickhouse and Irv Kupcinet (1977), the Bears made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. Naturally, they had some misgivings about that.
But when Michael McCaskey opted to move the Bears back to WGN following the 1984 season, it gave me the opportunity to move to Channel 7. It proved to be a great career move for me and my family.
The cherry on top of Walters incredible runs, was that Brad was there to call em! High energy, extreme excitement (just like Walter) boy, I sure was spoiled as a kid growing up in Bears country back then. DAMN PROUD TOO!
+fan4life34
Appreciate the kudos, but Joe McConnell is the man deserving of them. He did the play-by-play. I did the color and analysis. To me, Joe was the best when it came to football play-by-play on radio. The best baseball broadcaster I ever heard was Vin Scully. Chick Hearn was the best at basketball.
Incredible finish! The Bears-Vikings game in Chicago that season was a great one also
Funny how Bear fans born in the 60s remember every important moment of '77 season; our 1st year with hope. Payton was deep to return that final KC kick; maybe that's why the short kickoff. Latta was every bit as wide open as you guys made him sound
bbh I remember Joe McConnel doing play by play for Purdue from 1996 to 2011 and he called so me great games here also!
I went to Webster Jr High with him. I knew then he'd be a Pro. Great person my mom loved him. Rest easy pal ❤🙏❤
Brad, I remember you saying "Avelinni threw that ball for all he was worth." lol good stuff, great memories.
Ah the Bob Avallini, Mike Phipps, Vince Evans days
I was living in an apartment in Evanston. I screamed "it's a miracle!" when Latta caught the pass. And I heard someone maybe two stories about yelling the same thing.
Great call by Joe McConnell on WBBM Newsradio 78 and the game was on WMAQ-TV Channel 5 let me guess DIck Enberg on the call of that 1977 game.
The way Brad called a game, you didn't really need to watch it, he painted the picture in my mind perfectly, however, no way, no how, did I ever want to miss watching the greatest player to ever put on the uniform, carry that football. There will never be another like him.
...I know this is cliché, but, I have no recollection of who called this game on NBC television...I usually...more often than not, turned down the sound of the TV and listened to the "biased" call of WBBM radio. ...this was perhaps (in terms of importance) the greatest comeback (yes, even greater than the '71 Vikings comeback) in Bears history...in the modern era anyways. ...the Avellini to Latta TD, as the great John Facenda once narrated; "was the play all of Chicago had been waiting for". ...classic McConnell & Palmer.
This was my first year of watching the Bears,I remember this game well,wasn't the norm back then to see comebacks like this.Nowadays it's kind of the norm,I think it's because all the(current day) teams are so close (watered down talent wise) talent wise,were in the era of para-die football in my opinion,I really miss the days when teams slowly rised and slowly fell (as they aged) and the good teams usually won when the playoffs came around.No one expected the Bears to beat the Cowboys in the playoffs that year and the bears were beat convincingly.
Rest In Heavenly Peace, Bob Avellini...
If you want to see the Latta TD catch, type in this title in the search bar... A Season in the Sun- 1977 Chicago Bears... and you can also find it here... Turning Point to the Playoffs-1977
Thank you very much for the information. It brought back a lot of great memories, that being our first season doing the Bears broadcasts on WBBM. For me, the Bob Thomas field goal was the single greatest moment in our 8 years doing the games.
Down 17-0 in 1977 was like being down 28-0 today. 1977 was the year of the defense and scoring was the lowest it’d been since 1942.
Is it possible to watch the entire game? Walter Payton had some GREAT highlights in this game.
I was unable to find it anywhere. The only video I found was Payton's electrifying run.
Brad Palmer
It might be because it was on NBC (since it was at Soldier Field). There isn't too many regular season games available on NBC before 1978.
As A Redskin Native America That #34 with those Bad News Bears and the Bare Nessesties Walter was all they had And they still Stop him he ran every down..Take away From Jim Browns The OJ Simpsons But the Greatest I've ever seen Is that one man Offense that couldn't be stopped...Nobody would've started 13 years on AstroTurf And never missed a game ...Hail to the Sweet one.the best ever...Bar none!
Thank you for sharing sir
Brandon, I'm so glad you were able to come across what had to be your dad's most memorable moment as a Chicago Bear. Wish I'd been able to find the video, but Joe McConnell did a great job of describing it. I don't recollect having heard about your dad's passing 20 years ago. And 5 years later, your friend, Jarrett Payton, lost his dad. I was fortunate to have known them both. We shared some fun times.
Brad Palmer...surely you jest Brad...that catch Latta made against the Rams in '77 (Namath's last game) was epic! ...everyone in Soldier Field were on their feet. ...ok, the Chiefs game was his greatest...but that 40 yard bomb he caught from Avellini in the pouring rain on MNF was pure clutch!
+daniel anderson
According to the Bears Media Guide, the game started at 1pm CST.
Thanks again Brad!
No video coverage ? Wow
I remember it well!
Oh please, stop it. You remember nothing.
It's obvious to me that you are an IDIOT!
Gotta love the picture of Trent Green even though this is suppose to be 1977
Very observant. Can't recall how I came up with that shot.
Brad Palmer no biggie but while I am add it GSH didn’t go on the jersey until 85
I remember Greg latta had those orange frame glasses.
Didn't know he past away (what did he die from?) r.i.p.
Greg Latta died from a heart attack at 41 in 1994.
Why can't we see the play?
my Dad was at this game!
+Alex Budris: Your Dad was there? That’s funny, I don’t remember seeing him 🤔
:59 Trent Green was QBing the Chiefs in 1977????? At seven years old?
Great catch on your part. Am guessing I couldn't come up with an actual KC cut shot from that game. All the audio is from a radio broadcast.
Blown coverage,he juked safety,no.defensive help,what a game!!!
what??? chuck norris 02:12 played on the bears????
How do you get Chuck Norris out of Bob Thomas?
Judge Bob Thomas
Where is the fucking high lite? Film of this game doesn't exist?