If you walk into a dive bar in Chicago and mention Bill Murray, nobody is going to ask you which movie is your favorite. They aren’t going to bring up Ghostbusters or Groundhog Day. Instead, they’ll probably tell you about the time he was spotted on the sidelines during the 1985 NFC Championship game, or his recent appearance on the ManningCast where he basically predicted a Super Bowl run for the current squad.
There is a weird, deep-rooted connection between Bill Murray and the Chicago Bears that goes way beyond typical celebrity "fandom." It’s not just a PR stunt. It’s a lifelong obsession that has seen him drinking 7 and 7s with legendary defensive linemen and, more recently, sharing a roster name with an actual NFL offensive guard.
Honestly, the Bill Murray/Bears saga is a fever dream of Chicago sports history.
The Night Before Super Bowl XX: Drinking with the 85 Bears
Most fans know the 1985 Bears were the greatest team to ever lace up cleats. They were also probably the most terrifying group of humans to ever enter a New Orleans bar. During an appearance on the ManningCast in September 2025, Murray dropped a story that perfectly encapsulates why he’s the ultimate Bears insider.
The night before the Super Bowl—you know, the biggest game of their lives—Murray was hanging out with Dan Hampton and Steve "Mongo" McMichael.
Now, most athletes today are tracking their sleep cycles and sipping electrolytes. Not these guys. Murray described watching Hampton and McMichael pound "7 and 7s" (Seagram’s 7 and 7-Up) like they were drinking water.
"I got so scared thinking people are gonna think I'm getting these people drunk," Murray told Peyton and Eli Manning. "But that's sort of what they had to do just to calm down."
They weren't drunk. They were just "calm." The next day, they went out and dismantled the New England Patriots 46-10. Murray’s takeaway? He jokingly recommended the strategy to any kid who wants to succeed. It’s that brand of chaotic, old-school Chicago energy that makes him the unofficial mascot of the franchise.
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Wait, Is Bill Murray Actually Playing Guard for the Bears?
This is where things get confusing for the casual Googler. If you were looking at the Bears' roster transitions between 2024 and 2025, you might have done a double-take.
There is an actual professional football player named Bill Murray.
He’s a 6'4", 310-pound offensive guard who played college ball at William & Mary. For a while, the "other" Bill Murray was a legit "hidden gem" for GM Ryan Poles. In late 2024, he stepped in for an injured Teven Jenkins against the Panthers and put up an elite PFF grade of 83.9. He didn't allow a single pressure.
Of course, the internet had a field day. Every time the guard made a block, Twitter was flooded with Caddyshack memes and "Cinderella story" jokes. Sadly, the football-playing Bill Murray was waived in August 2025 following an injury, eventually landing with the Colts. But for a brief, shining moment, the Chicago Bears had a Bill Murray on the field and a Bill Murray in the stands.
It was peak Chicago.
The Ben Johnson Era and the "No Punting" Policy
Fast forward to the start of the 2025 season. The Bears made a massive splash by hiring Ben Johnson (formerly the Lions' offensive mastermind) to lead the team. This move got the celebrity Bill Murray fired up.
Murray doesn't just watch the games; he has opinions on coaching philosophy. He’s gone on record saying he "completely endorses" the new aggressive culture in Chicago. He even suggested that the Bears should just stop punting altogether.
His logic? The '85 Bears never really needed to punt because the defense was so dominant. He wants to see that same "go for it" swagger with Caleb Williams under center. Murray’s belief in the current trajectory of the team isn't just blind loyalty; he’s seen the worst of the "Double Doink" years and the mediocrity in between. Seeing him get this excited about a coaching staff is usually a sign that the vibes in Lake Forest are actually shifting.
Why This Fandom Still Matters
You see celebrities at Lakers games or sitting behind home plate at Yankee Stadium. It usually feels sterile. With Murray, it’s different. Whether he’s wearing a "Salt Lake Trappers" hat or a vintage Adidas jacket with Cyrillic writing, he looks like a guy who just wandered out of a North Side basement after watching a three-hour pregame show.
He treats the players like peers because, in the world of Chicago legends, they are.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to experience the Bill Murray version of Bears fandom, you have to look past the box scores.
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- Watch the 2025 ManningCast premiere: Murray’s segment isn't just funny; it’s a history lesson on the swagger of Chicago sports.
- Look for the "other" Bill Murray's tape: If you're a film junkie, watch the 2024 Week 5 highlights. Seeing a guy with that name dominate an NFL defensive line is objectively hilarious.
- Adopt the "85 Mindset": Next time the Bears face a 4th and 2, remember Murray’s advice. Don't punt.
The connection between this actor and this team works because they both share a specific DNA: they’re unpredictable, slightly chaotic, and they don't take themselves too seriously until the whistle blows. As long as there’s a team in Soldier Field, you can bet Bill Murray will be somewhere nearby, probably with a glass of water—or something stronger—ready to tell a story that no one will ever believe.