The Bears have announced the passing of former quarterback Bob Avellini at the age of 70. Avellini was drafted by the Bears in the sixth round of the 1975 draft, alongside first-round pick Walter Payton. During his rookie season, Avellini started four games and went on to become a mainstay for the team over the next three seasons, starting a total of 44 regular season games.
Avellini’s greatest success came in 1977 when he led the team to their first postseason appearance in 14 years. Despite making just one playoff appearance during his career, it was a memorable one as the Bears lost to the Cowboys in a close game.
The Bears released Avellini during the 1984 season and he finished out his playing days with the Jets before retiring altogether. However, his legacy with the Bears lives on and he will be remembered as a fierce and tough competitor who gave everything he had to the game. The team expressed their condolences for his passing and recognized his contributions to their history.
