Mike Ditka Leadership

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Singletary was born in Houston, the last of ten children. His father, Charles, was a street preacher and contractor who built a church next to their home. Tragedy struck when his brother Dale died from coal stove fumes, and later his brother Grady, a father figure, was killed in a six-car accident caused by a drunk driver. Singletary attended Evan E. Worthing High School in Houston, then played college football at Baylor University, where he earned All-American honors and set a school record with 232 tackles in 1978. He was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 1981 NFL draft and played 12 seasons, starting 172 games. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1988, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

In Their Own Story

The path to Super Bowl XX began with a historic 15–1 regular season in 1985. Singletary recorded 109 solo tackles (with 52 assists), 3 sacks, 1 interception, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, and 10 defended passes that year. In the divisional playoff game against the New York Giants at home, Singletary recovered a fumble early in the first quarter and sacked quarterback Phil Simms on third down early in the third quarter, helping secure a 21–0 victory. The NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams saw the Bears dominate again. Singletary provided another memorable play by stopping Eric Dickerson behind the line of scrimmage. In Super Bowl XX, which resulted in a 46–10 victory over the New England Patriots, Singletary broke up a pass that would have gone for a touchdown and delivered jarring hits to running back Craig James throughout the game. He tied a Super Bowl record with 2 fumble recoveries in that contest.

Reader's Guide

Singletary later became a coach, first as a linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens, then as the linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers. In 2008, the 49ers promoted him to head coach after Mike Nolan was fired, and he remained until he was fired after the 2010 season. He also coached for the Los Angeles Rams, the Memphis Express of the AAF, and a brief two-season stint as head coach of a high school team.

Did You Know?

• Singletary was a two-time recipient of the Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy, which at the time was awarded to the most outstanding player in the southwestern United States.
• He amassed 1,488 career tackles, 885 solo, and missed only two games in his 12-year career.
• In Super Bowl XX, Singletary tied a Super Bowl record with 2 fumble recoveries.