Doug Buffone: Monster of the Midway

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 movie Brian’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, a former All American linebacker at Louisville, played 14 stellar seasons for the Chicago Bears after rejecting a larger contract offer from the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League. Buffone earned the respect and reverence of the NFL’s toughest critic, Papa Bear George Halas. Doug’s success went far beyond the gridiron. He had interest in numerous restaurants over the years, most notably, Gibson’s on Rush Street in Chicago. Doug was with radio station WSCR for over two decades. His Sunday show following Bears games with his longtime teammate, Ed O’Bradovich, was nothing if not “appointment radio.” Chet Coppock is an Emmy Award winning sportscaster who was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 while receiving the Jack Brickhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. Coppock, a sought-after speaker and commercial announcer, has hosted Notre Dame Football on WLS Radio for the past decade. He also hosts the Chicago Blackhawks “Heritage Series.” Coppock has authored two previous books, Fat Guys Shouldn’t Be Dancin’ at Halftime and Chet Coppock: Laying It on the Line.