You probably recognize the voice before you remember the face. If you've spent any time stuck in Chicago traffic on a Sunday afternoon, tuning into WBBM or WMVP, that gravelly, expert breakdown of a blown block or a perfect stunt is unmistakable. It’s Tom Thayer.
But for a lot of younger fans, he's just the "radio guy." That’s a mistake. Honestly, the Tom Thayer Chicago Bears story is one of the weirdest, most "Chicago" journeys in NFL history. We are talking about a guy who played an entire pro season in the USFL, drove through the night on a scooter, and then started for arguably the greatest team of all time—all in the same year.
The 1985 Marathon Nobody Talks About
Most NFL players complain about an 18-week season. In 1985, Tom Thayer played about 40 games. Think about that for a second.
He started the year in the USFL with the Arizona Outlaws. The USFL was a spring league, so he was banging heads in the desert heat while NFL guys were still on vacation. When the USFL season ended, he didn't go to the beach. He drove straight to Platteville, Wisconsin.
Legend has it he bought a Honda Elite 150 scooter in Madison and rode it the rest of the way to training camp. He reported on a Sunday and was practicing in Mike Ditka’s camp on Monday morning. He didn't just "make" the team; he became the starting right guard for a squad that went 15-1 and demolished the Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
He was essentially a rookie playing at a veteran's pace. The PFWA named him to the All-Rookie team that year, which is hilarious when you realize he’d already been a pro for three years in another league.
Why the Chicago Bears Drafted a Guy Who Already Signed Elsewhere
The 1983 draft was legendary—Elway, Marino, Kelly. The Bears took Thayer in the fourth round (91st overall).
The problem? He’d already signed with the Chicago Blitz in the USFL a few hours earlier.
The Bears didn't even know. Thayer has said in interviews that the Blitz offered him "first-round money" and, more importantly, it was guaranteed. In the early 80s, NFL contracts weren't the gold mines they are now. He took the bag. He spent time with the Blitz, the Wranglers, and the Outlaws before the USFL started to crumble and he finally made his way to Soldier Field.
It worked out. He ended up starting 120 games for the Bears. He wasn't a flashy Pro-Bowler like Jimbo Covert or a personality like Dan Hampton, but he was the glue. You don't have a 1,000-yard rusher like Walter Payton without a guy like Thayer consistently winning his 1-on-1 matchups in the trenches.
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The Transition to the Booth
A lot of former players try broadcasting. Most are bad at it. They speak in clichés—"They just wanted it more," or "He's a real lunch pail guy."
Thayer is different because he’s a film junkie. If you watch his "Thayer’s Playbook" segments on the Bears' official site, he’s not looking at the ball. He’s looking at the footwork of the left guard. He’s looking at the "cadence" of the linebacker.
What makes his analysis unique:
- He respects the grind. He rarely trashes a player without explaining why a technique failed.
- He’s present. Thayer is known for attending almost every single Bears practice, even the ones in the middle of a losing streak in December.
- He’s a "Surf Master." Seriously. One of the weirdest facts about him is his obsession with surfing. He spends his off-seasons in Maui. There’s something hilarious about a 270-pound former offensive lineman carving waves in Hawaii, but that’s Tom.
Reality Check: The Toll of the Game
We shouldn't romanticize the 80s too much. Thayer’s career ended in 1993 after a short stint with the Miami Dolphins, but the physical price was high. He actually got waived by the Bears because of a weight-lifting injury.
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It’s a reminder that even for the "Iron Men" of the Ditka era, the end usually comes because the body just gives up. He’s been a staunch promoter of health and fitness in his retirement, likely because he knows exactly what happens when you stop moving after a decade of pro football.
The Legacy of #57
If you look at the "100 Greatest Bears of All-Time" list, Tom Thayer is usually sitting right there in the 80s. He’s a local kid—born in Joliet, played at Notre Dame, won a ring with the Bears.
He’s the personification of the blue-collar Chicago athlete. His father was a lineman for Com Ed for over 40 years. That’s the DNA of his game. No fluff, just work.
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Today, he serves as a bridge between the glory days of '85 and the modern era. When he analyzes a guy like Teven Jenkins, he’s doing it with the perspective of someone who has actually felt the breath of a 300-pound nose tackle in his face.
How to follow Tom Thayer's insights:
- Listen to the radio broadcast: He’s the color analyst for all Bears games on WMVP (ESPN 1000).
- Watch Thayer’s Playbook: These are short, 2-3 minute videos on ChicagoBears.com where he breaks down specific successful plays.
- Check out the podcasts: He still pops up on Steve Dahl’s shows, keeping that old-school Chicago media connection alive.
Next time you hear him on the radio, remember he's not just a talking head. He’s the guy who played two seasons of professional football in a single calendar year just to earn his spot.
Actionable Insight: If you want to actually understand football beyond the fantasy stats, ignore the ball next game. Watch the offensive guards. If they're pulling or "getting to the second level," that's the Thayer influence. Go back and watch film of the '85 Bears versus the Patriots; notice how #57 handles the nose tackle. That's a masterclass in leverage that still applies to the NFL today.