Today in Chicago History: ‘McCaskey, you’re a bum!’ The coin flip that cost the Chicago Bears Terry Bradshaw.

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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 9, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 60 degrees (1880)
  • Low temperature: Minus 20 degrees (1875)
  • Precipitation: 0.93 inches (2024)
  • Snowfall: 6.8 inches (1977)
Nickel, a green sea turtle rescued near Goodland, Florida, swims the waters of the Shedd Aquarium’s Caribbean Reef exhibit in 2003. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune)

2003: Hogfish, clown tang and emperor angelfish were among 300 new residents that made their debut inside the Shedd Aquarium’s $47 million Wild Reef exhibit. Thirty sharks were added, too, before the exhibit opened to the public in April 2003.

Shedd Aquarium shows off new centerpiece Wonder of Water and a refreshed rotunda

1970: After a 1-13 season in 1969, the Chicago Bears tied the Pittsburgh Steelers for the worst record in the NFL. To settle who would get first pick in the next draft, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle conducted a coin toss ceremony in a posh New Orleans hotel ballroom before Super Bowl IV.

“Heads,” Bears representative Ed McCaskey said as Rozelle’s shiny 1921 silver dollar bounced on a cloth-covered table and came up tails. (George Halas was hospitalized following gallbladder removal surgery.)

The Chicago Bears lost a coin flip on Jan. 9, 1970, to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the No. 1 pick in the 1970 NFL draft. (Chicago Tribune)
The Chicago Bears lost a coin flip on Jan. 9, 1970, to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the No. 1 pick in the 1970 NFL draft. (Chicago Tribune)

“McCaskey, you’re a bum!” former Chicago sportswriter Jack Griffin hollered from the back of the room to Bears owner George Halas’ son-in-law. “You couldn’t even win a coin flip!”

The Steelers used the No. 1 pick to draft quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who led owner Art Rooney’s team to eight American Football Conference Central Division titles and four Super Bowl titles in 14 years.

The Bears traded away their first-round pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for three players and the first pick in the second round to the Dallas Cowboys for two players.

2018: Matt Nagy was introduced as the Bears’ new head coach. He went 34-31 (.523) from 2018-21.

From George Halas to Thomas Brown: What was said about every Chicago Bears coach when they were hired

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