How they got started: Formed in 1920, in Decatur, Illinois, by the Staley Starch Company, as the Staleys, with George Halas as its representative. The team was moved to Chicago in 1921, and renamed the Bears a year later.

Prices for Super Bowl XLI found on eBay at press time: $5,000 for one ticket; $100 for a parking permit; $17,250 for two tickets at the fifty-yard line; $1,000 for two tickets to the official Super Bowl tailgate party.

Facts about the 1985 "Super Bowl Shuffle": The song reached #41 on the Billboard charts; it was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance: Duo or Group category (it lost to Prince's "Kiss"); all proceeds were given to charity (the only reason Walter Payton was involved); the music video was filmed at the Park West.

Where to find the Bears' lone Lombardi Trophy: Halas Hall, Conway Park, 1000 Football Drive, Lake Forest.

For all things Walter Payton: Walter Payton Museum, 205 North Broadway, Aurora, (630)892-0034.

The number of championships the Bears won in the fortysome years before the creation of the Super Bowl: 8. In the fortysome years since: 1.

Number of Bears players in the NFL Hall of Fame: 31, the most of any football team.

Bears all-time leading scorer: Kevin Butler, kicker, (1985-1995), with 1116 points.

Number of retired Bears numbers: 13.

Where you can watch the game, cheer for the Colts and not get killed (or so they say): Joe's on Weed, 940 West Weed, (312)337-3486; Hi-Tops, 3551 North Sheffield, (773)348-0009.

Best Bears Web site: www.bearshistory.com.

(2007-01-30)

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