1961 Chicago Bears season

1961 Chicago Bears season
Head coach	George Halas
General manager	George Halas
Owner	George Halas
Home field	Wrigley Field
Results
Record	8–6
Division place	3rd NFL Western
Playoff finish	did not qualify
← 1960 Bears seasons 1962 →

1 2 3 4 Total Bears 0 6 0 7 13 • Vikings 3 7 14 13 37 Date: September 17 Location: Metropolitan Stadium Game attendance: 32,236 Game weather: 61°F; wind 13

1 2 3 4 Total • Bears 7 0 7 7 21 Rams 3 7 0 7 17 Date: September 23 Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Game attendance: 53,315 Game weather: 65°F; wind 10

1 2 3 4 Total Bears 0 0 0 0 0 • Packers 7 3 7 7 24 Date: October 1 Location: City Stadium Game attendance: 38,669 Game weather: 46°F; wind 19

1 2 3 4 Total • Bears 0 7 3 21 31 Lions 10 0 7 0 17 Date: October 8 Location: Tiger Stadium Game attendance: 53,854 Game weather: 60°F; wind 7

1 2 3 4 Total Colts 0 7 0 3 10 • Bears 3 7 0 14 24 Date: October 15 Location: Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois Game attendance: 48,719 Game weather: 50°F • Wind 13

Scoring summary 1 CHI Roger LeClerc 14-yard field goal Bears 3–0 2 BAL Johnny Unitas 7-yard run (Steve Myhra kick) Colts 7–3 2 CHI Johnny Morris 8-yard pass from Ed Brown (Roger LeClerc kick) Bears 10–7 4 BAL Steve Myhra 32-yard field goal Tie 10–10 4 CHI Willie Galimore 84-yard pass from Ed Brown (Roger LeClerc kick) Bears 17–10 4 CHI Rick Casares 1-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick) Bears 24–10

Scoring summary
1		CHI	Roger LeClerc 14-yard field goal	Bears 3–0
2		BAL	Johnny Unitas 7-yard run (Steve Myhra kick)	Colts 7–3
2		CHI	Johnny Morris 8-yard pass from Ed Brown (Roger LeClerc kick)	Bears 10–7
4		BAL	Steve Myhra 32-yard field goal	Tie 10–10
4		CHI	Willie Galimore 84-yard pass from Ed Brown (Roger LeClerc kick)	Bears 17–10
4		CHI	Rick Casares 1-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick)	Bears 24–10

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 0 0 0 0 0 • Bears 0 14 7 10 31 Date: October 22 Location: Wrigley Field Game attendance: 49,070 Game weather: 49°F; wind 8

1 2 3 4 Total • Bears 0 7 7 7 21 Colts 7 7 6 0 20 Date: October 29 Location: Memorial Stadium • Baltimore, Maryland Game attendance: 57,641 Game weather: 52°F • Wind 8

Scoring summary 1 BAL Joe Perry 21 -yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick) Colts 7–0 2 BAL Lenny Moore 68-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick) Colts 14–0 2 CHI Mike Ditka 19-yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick) Colts 14–7 3 BAL Alex Hawkins 1-yard run (kick failed) Colts 20–7 3 CHI Johnny Morris 41-yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick) Colts 20–14 4 CHI Rick Casares 5-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick) Bears 21–20

Scoring summary
1		BAL	Joe Perry 21 -yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick)	Colts 7–0
2		BAL	Lenny Moore 68-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick)	Colts 14–0
2		CHI	Mike Ditka 19-yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick)	Colts 14–7
3		BAL	Alex Hawkins 1-yard run (kick failed)	Colts 20–7
3		CHI	Johnny Morris 41-yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick)	Colts 20–14
4		CHI	Rick Casares 5-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick)	Bears 21–20

The 1961 Chicago Bears season was their 42nd regular season completed in the National Football League. The club posted an 8–6 record under George Halas, which was an improvement over the 5–6–1 record of the previous season.

On January 14, Chicago Bears End Willard Dewveall played out his option and joined the Houston Oilers of the American Football League. He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another.

The Bears were notable for taking part in an exhibition game in their first ever game outside of the United States, taking on the CFL's Montreal Alouettes (the original team), winning 34–16.

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

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