Former Bears quarterback passed away last night

Bob Avellini, the former quarterback for the Chicago Bears, has passed away at the age of 70 after battling cancer, as reported by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Drafted by the Bears in the sixth round of the 1975 NFL Draft, Avellini started his career by appearing in four games as a rookie, eventually becoming the team's primary starting quarterback from 1976 to 1978. Throughout his nine-year playing career, the Maryland alum amassed 560 completions for 7,111 yards, with 33 touchdowns and 69 interceptions.

Avellini's most notable season came in 1977 when he guided the Bears to a 9-5 record, leading them to the playoffs. It coincided with legendary Bears running back Walter Payton winning both the MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards. However, the Bears suffered a 37-7 defeat against the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round, marking Avellini's sole playoff appearance in the NFL.

In 1978, Avellini was benched in favor of Mike Phipps with two games remaining in the season, as the Bears struggled with a 4-8 record. Despite being replaced as the starter, Avellini remained with the Bears as a backup until his release midway through the 1984 season, just a year before the team's first and only Super Bowl victory.


Following his departure from the Bears, Avellini had brief stints with the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys but did not see any game action.