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Then Ditka Said to Payton... The Best Chicago Bears Stories Ever Told
ISBN: 978-1-57243-985-6
192 pages
5 1/2 x 8 1/2, Hardbound
pub date 09-2008
1-color; b/w photos throughout
Here is your chance to go inside the huddle, head into the locker room, or grab a seat on the sidelines. This is your exclusive pass to get on the team plane or have breakfast at the team hotel. Go behind the scenes and peek into the private world of the players, coaches, and decision makers and eavesdrop on their conversations.
Mongo nearly lost his starting job to his Great Dane, Mike Ditka's harangues forced former quarterback Mike Tomczak to see a therapist, and if you were lucky to sleep through the night in training camp that simply meant that Walter Payton was waiting one more day to toss firecrackers in your room at 2 a.m. If there's a team more fit for a Hollywood screenplay, save your breath trying to convince Dan Jiggetts, author of "Then Ditka Said To Payton." For seven years Jiggetts was a Chicago Bears offensive lineman, blocking for Payton on his way to the Hall of Fame. Along the way, Jiggs became a fan favorite for his colorful radio and television work.
This week, the Chicago Bears' official site reviewed "Then Ditka Said to Payton" and the accompanying audio CD that gives fans some of the greatest moments and stories from behind the scenes, like Payton's historic 275-yard performance against the Minnesota Vikings in 1977.
"If somebody wanted to make a movie [about the Chicago Bears' players], it would be a fabulous one, I could tell you that," Jiggetts told www.chicagobears.com. "I just felt it was time to tell some of the stuff that maybe people haven’t heard and some of the great stories about the team."
True Chicago Bears fans don't need to read about the history of the team because most of them have lived it. However, there are many interesting and humorous behind-the-scenes stories about some of the Bears most beloved and infamous players and coaches that many fans have never heard before.
Then Ditka Said to Payton…The Best Chicago Bears Stories Ever Told by Dan Jiggetts with Fred Mitchell delves into some of the most memorable stories about your favorite players, coaches and most cherished games throughout the Bears incredible history. The book also comes with an exclusive audio CD that features interviews with some of the Chicago's greatest players.
Then Ditka Said to Payton touches on some of the most famous games, players and traditions in Bears history including:
- Legendary Chicago Bears Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus
- Behind the scenes with the 1985 Super Bowl Champions
- Numerous stories of football legend Walter Payton
- Following the Bears in Platteville during training camps
- In-depth stories on the Bears-Packers rivalry
- The early years of the franchise with George Halas and Red Grange
Whether you're a fan of the Mike Ditka era or the Lovie Smith era or you just want to learn a few new interesting tidbits from the legendary Bears franchise, Then Ditka Said to Payton has something for everyone.
Dan Jiggetts both heard and witnessed countless stories during his time as a Bears offensive lineman who blocked for Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton from 1976-82. He played in 98 games over seven seasons with the Bears. Jiggetts waded through decades of heroics and hijinks to highlight some of the all-time greatest tales from the most memorable figures to take the field in Chicago. The dozens of stories make for a fascinating read that Bears fans of all ages will remember for years to come.
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CONTACT: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312.252.1248, b.ames@triumphbooks.com
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