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Bears face Dolphins in Hall of Fame Game


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from nfl.com

Bears face Dolphins in Hall of Fame Game   

(March 9, 2005) -- Two teams with ties to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2005 will meet in the annual Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 8.

The Chicago Bears will play the Miami Dolphins in Canton, Ohio on Monday night, Aug. 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET in a game to be televised live by ABC.

The game will conclude 11 days of festivities in Canton -- birthplace of pro football -- surrounding the enshrinement of the Hall of Fame Class of 2005 -- Benny Friedman, Dan Marino, Fritz Pollard and Steve Young.

Marino, one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, played for the Dolphins from 1983-99 and is the NFL's career leader in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns.

Pollard was born in Chicago, and became the NFL's first African-American quarterback and head coach.

The Bears will celebrate this year the 20th anniversary of their Super Bowl XX title (1985). They went 15-1 that season, losing only to the Dolphins in one of the most memorable Monday Night Football games in history. On Dec. 2, 1985 in Miami, the Dolphins broke the Bears' 13-game winning streak with a 38-24 victory sparked by Marino's three touchdown passes.

Chicago (3-0) is one of four NFL teams who are undefeated in the Hall of Fame Game (Washington, 4-0; Oakland, 2-0; and Carolina, 1-0). The Bears also lead all NFL clubs in Hall of Fame enshrinees with 26 "primary" members (those players whose major NFL contribution came with the team). The Dolphins with Marino now have nine primary players.

The Hall of Fame Game will mark the NFL head-coaching debut of the Dolphins' Nick Saban, who returns to the NFL (assistant with Houston, 1988-89; and Cleveland, 1991-94) after taking LSU to the college national championship in 2003.

The NFL preseason national television and full preseason schedule will be announced shortly.

That should be an interesting game...

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That should be an interesting game...

How so? Both of these teams faired relatively poor last season. Or did you mean "interesting" as in it will be an evenly matched up game. With that I'll agree.

And if you meant it in a "it'll be more interesting than this Arena League stuff the networks are serving up now' way, I couldn't agree with you more!! :lol:

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I really thought that it would be our turn this year. It has been 17 years since we played (1988) in the HOF game. I can understand the Miami connection with Marino going in this year. I can also understand the Bears connection with it being 20 years since they won and only losing to the Dolphins that year. But I guess I am just wanting the season to get here sooner and that would happen if they played the first game of the year. ;) Although I am sure ML probably doesnt't want any part of that game since it is a week early, especially after the Tampa/Hurricane drama from last preseason.

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What is the official NFL policy for selecting the teams for that game? Anyone know?

I don't know if there is such a thing as a policy or rotation schedule. I think there are only a handful of teams that haven't played since the Bengals were in it. That's why I thought it might be our turn soon.

The 1990's new teams (Jax and Carolina) played in 1995 as their first games. Also the new Browns played in 1999 and the Texans in 2002 as their first game also. I don't think the Ravens have played yet in this game. There is a link on this NFL site that lists all of the result from previous games.

Here is the official link from NFL.com.:

http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement...release_id=1415

Bears to face Dolphins in 2005 HOF Game

March 9, 2005

The National Football League announced today that the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins will play in the 2005 AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game. The two teams will kick off their preseason schedule at Fawcett Stadium inCanton, Ohio on Monday August 8.

The game will be played one day following the formal induction ceremony of the Class of 2005 – Benny Friedman, Dan Marino, Fritz Pollard, and Steve Young.

Marino is the ninth member of the Dolphins to earn election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Bears hold the distinction of having more Hall of Famers than any other team with 26 members inducted.

This year’s game marks the fourth visit by the Bears to Canton while the Dolphins will be playing in their third Hall of Fame game.

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