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Former Chicago Bears backmost Bob Avellini, who spent each 9 of his NFL seasons successful nan Windy City, died Saturday. He was 70 years old.
The Bears announced that Avellini mislaid a battle pinch cancer.
"Bob was one-of-a-kind, a fierce and reliable competitor," nan Bears said successful a statement. "He’s possibly champion remembered for starring nan Bears connected an improbable tally successful 1977 to our first postseason quality successful fourteen years. He will beryllium missed."
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Bob Avellini of nan Chicago Bears drops backmost to walk during nan crippled against nan New Orleans Saints astatine Soldier Field successful Chicago connected Oct. 2, 1977. Avellini played for nan Bears from 1975 to 1984. (Focus connected Sport/Getty Images)
In 1977, some Avellini and Walter Payton, nan Bears’ prima moving backmost who reached nan Hall of Fame, had their champion profession seasons.
Payton was surely nan beating bosom of Chicago’s offense, rushing for a league-high 1,852 yards pinch 14 touchdowns connected nan ground.
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But Avellini had a career-high 2,004 yards connected 154 completions pinch 11 touchdowns complete 14 games.
As nan team's connection said, nan Bears hadn’t made nan playoffs successful 14 years until 1977, erstwhile they yet collapsed nan drought. However, nan Bears were blown retired by nan Dallas Cowboys, 37-7, and Avellini threw 4 interceptions to 1 touchdown connected 25 attempts.
Avellini had a 23-27 grounds during nan regular play successful 73 games pinch 7,111 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Quarterback Bob Avellini of nan Chicago Bears is shown circa 1979. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios)
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The Queens, New York City, autochthonal was successful nan aforesaid draught people arsenic Payton, pinch nan Bears picking Avellini 135th wide successful nan sixth information of nan 1975 NFL Draft retired of Maryland.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Scott Thompson is simply a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
