Doug Buffone ─ Monster of the Midway: My 50 Years With the Chicago Bears

A beloved Bear’s tales of the epic highs and frustrating lows of the team over the last half century

In Doug Buffone: Monster of the Midway, author and former Bear Doug Buffone provides a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities and events that have shaped the franchise’s storied history. Beginning in 1966, when Buffone was selected in the fourth round by the Bears, the book details his early playing days under legendary Coach George Halas all the way through the start of the new era of the franchise with John Fox. He takes readers through the exhilaration of being teammates with the legendary Gale Sayers, as well as the heartrending experience of losing teammate Brian Piccolo to cancer, which would go on to inspire the award-winning movieBrian’s Song. Before retiring as the last Bear to have played under Halas in 1980, Buffone also had the pleasure of sharing the locker room with the next superstar Bears running back, Walter Payton, helping lay the groundwork that would lead to the unforgettable 1985 Super Bowl champion squad. Luckily, even after his playing days, Buffone never strayed far from the Bears organization, covering the team on television and radio for more than three decades. From the greatness of Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, Brian Urlacher, and Matt Forte to the debacles of Rashaan Salaam, Dave McGinnis, and Mark Trestman, Buffone has seen it all, and this book gives fans a taste of what it’s like to be a part of the Bears storied history.

Doug Buffone is a former linebacker with the Chicago Bears, where he played for 15 years and also served as defensive captain for eight seasons. He was involved in founding the Arena Football League, and cohostsChicago NFL Live on WSCR-AM, as well as the Bears postgame show. Chet Coppock is an Emmy Award–winning sports broadcaster with more than 40 years of experience. In 2013 he was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and given the Jack Brickhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the author of Laying It on the Line. They both live in Chicago.Dan Hampton was a four-time First Team All-Pro during his 12-year career with the Chicago Bears. He is a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.