NFL  > Chicago Bears  > They Are who we thought they were!!!!
June 28, 2009, 08:25 PM
Dennis Green first uttered this trademarked phrase during a swear-filled, post-game tirade in 2006. When he was asked what he thought of the Chicago Bears after his team dropped a 20-point lead during a Monday Night Football game, Green responded "they are who we thought they were." There is another part to the quote "and we let 'em off the hook!" that is not part of the trademark.

Green exclusively owns the right to use the phrase for sports merchandise, but the clip is a sports media standard that is used when teams fail to take advantage of their opponent's obvious flaws.



Here's to the 2009 season and hoping they are who we think they are.
June 28, 2009  10:03 PM ET

I will never forget that game. I didn't even get to see it live. I had to watch a re run and STRIVE not to look on the computer to see who won. It was pure amazment. I couldn't believe my eyes when Hester ran back that TD. A sports memory that will stick with me forever.

Here is to 09'!

June 28, 2009  11:19 PM ET

Urlacher completley took this game over in the 2nd quarter, I have never seen one defensive player take over a game the way he did.

June 29, 2009  10:42 AM ET

I know it's a game I will never forget, Urlacher did take that game over in the second half and it was something to see. I hope our Defense can return to that form of play or better in the upcoming season.

June 29, 2009  12:44 PM ET

When will we ever forget that tirade? When I heard it, I just wanted to leap through my TV and beat the **** out of that loudmouth jackass. Hell, I still want to smack him around. He has the face of someone you just want to punch.

June 29, 2009  03:36 PM ET

Denny Green.......Funny stuff. I peeed my pants after i heard it

June 29, 2009  06:20 PM ET

I was working nightshift that night and was only able to hear the game on Sirius radio (Bears feed of course). As excited as I was about the huge comeback, I was so angry at the drive by Arizona at the end of the game. What a shame it would have been if they would have lost that game after Hester's huge return. And then the missed FG? Pure heaven for a Bears fan. The only thing that could have topped off the end of my nightshift was listening to Green's rant on The Howard Stern Show in the morning - what a great game!

June 29, 2009  11:58 PM ET
QUOTE(#6):

I was working nightshift that night and was only able to hear the game on Sirius radio (Bears feed of course). As excited as I was about the huge comeback, I was so angry at the drive by Arizona at the end of the game. What a shame it would have been if they would have lost that game after Hester's huge return. And then the missed FG? Pure heaven for a Bears fan. The only thing that could have topped off the end of my nightshift was listening to Green's rant on The Howard Stern Show in the morning - what a great game!

I actually went to bed when they were down by 20. When i woke up turned on sport center, then peed a little bit.

June 30, 2009  12:12 AM ET

I have that game saved on my DVR and watch occasionally when I need a pick me up.

June 30, 2009  04:28 PM ET
QUOTE(#7):

I actually went to bed when they were down by 20. When i woke up turned on sport center, then peed a little bit.

Kind of like the "Heidi game" of a few years ago, when one of the networks switched over from a football game to show "Heidi"........between the Jets and the Raiders in 1968. Man, did they ever screw up.

http://national-football-league-nfl.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_heidi_gam e

July 1, 2009  02:35 PM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Kind of like the "Heidi game" of a few years ago, when one of the networks switched over from a football game to show "Heidi"........between the Jets and the Raiders in 1968. Man, did they ever screw up.http://national-football-league-nfl.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_heidi_ gam e

I learned my lesson during that 2006 season I turned the channel to watch another game because I thought the Bears had pretty much lost only to see the score scroll by on the bottom showing they had won. I vowed never to turn the channel again until it's over. As I think the network stations has learned theirs.

July 1, 2009  03:08 PM ET
QUOTE(#10):

I learned my lesson during that 2006 season I turned the channel to watch another game because I thought the Bears had pretty much lost only to see the score scroll by on the bottom showing they had won. I vowed never to turn the channel again until it's over. As I think the network stations has learned theirs.

Oh come on you should have learned this in '01 against the 49ers, and I believe it was the Browns? in back to back weeks, under two minutes, Mike Brown returns interceptions for touchdowns in both games.... classic

July 1, 2009  03:15 PM ET
QUOTE(#11):

Oh come on you should have learned this in '01 against the 49ers, and I believe it was the Browns? in back to back weeks, under two minutes, Mike Brown returns interceptions for touchdowns in both games.... classic

Actually you are right it was in 01, and it was the first of them two games, I vowed never to turn the channel again. A hard lesson learned none the less and I also subscribed to the tivo dvr service right after and record every game for future viewing.

July 1, 2009  03:48 PM ET

I was 13 years old during that "Heidi" game, and remember fans caused chaos and havoc, and after reading that article about it, I started remembering more about it. Don't seem like it's been that damn long tho.............lol

July 2, 2009  12:47 PM ET

Dennis Green Statement was correct. The Colts proved his statement in the Superbowl. The Colts did not let them off the hook. The Bears had the same opportunity with Hester opening up with a return for a touchdown but, the Bears were who the Colts thought they were and won the big game. The Arizona game would not have had the same outcome if it was not for home field advantage. Lets be honest, I been a Bears fan for 50 years. I saw that game. The thirteenth man made a difference.

July 2, 2009  01:59 PM ET

The 2009 Chicago Bears are who we thought they are. THEY SUCK !!!










Packer fan checking in and doing my duty. Later. LOL

July 2, 2009  04:19 PM ET
QUOTE(#15):

The 2009 Chicago Bears are who we thought they are. THEY SUCK !!!Packer fan checking in and doing my duty. Later. LOL

It's no wonder the Packers players enjoy the Lambo Leap so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 2, 2009  04:56 PM ET
QUOTE(#16):

It's no wonder the Packers players enjoy the Lambo Leap so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LMAO!

July 9, 2009  09:15 PM ET

I see this game made NFL.com's top ten comebacks.
http://tinyurl.com/mdqkjt

 
July 14, 2009  07:03 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

LMAO!

LOL......maybe we should rename it.

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


The Si.com Cover Hub Go to the Cover Hub

Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    McDaniels takes jab at NFL Network
    Views
    1628
    Comments
    455
  2. 2
    Merriman: Runyan is dirtiest player I've faced
    Views
    65593
    Comments
    372
  3. 3
    Damon's Yankee days likely over
    Views
    54970
    Comments
    177
  4. 4
    Sosa facing lawsuit
    Views
    1430
    Comments
    84
  5. 5
    Berrian: Bears' defense no longer intimidating
    Views
    16186
    Comments
    69

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Chico 2.0
  2. 2
    BBK - Now it's all football
  3. 3
    rstowe
  4. 4
    gigi_iv
  5. 5
    Never NDing Struggle

Message Boards

  1. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Your team sucks
    Views
    173
    Replies
    11
  2. NFL > Dallas Cowboys

    Good game against a Bad Team
    Views
    125
    Replies
    16
  3. MMA > General MMA

    Frank Mir: "Fedor Wants No…
    Views
    68
    Replies
    23

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

SI Photos