Chicago mourns the loss of former Bears quarterback Bob Avellini, who passed away at the age of 70 after a courageous battle with cancer. The Bears organization announced the news on Saturday, paying tribute to Avellini's contributions to the team during his career.

Avellini, alongside Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, led the Bears to the playoffs in 1977, showcasing their exceptional talent on the field. That year, the Bears and the Minnesota Vikings both finished with a record of 9-5 in the NFC North division. Although the Vikings claimed the division title, Avellini and the Bears secured a wild-card playoff berth.

However, their playoff journey was cut short as they fell to the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 37-7. Despite the loss, Avellini's performance in the 1977 season was notable, as he threw 11 touchdown passes and achieved a career-high of 2,004 passing yards, alongside 18 interceptions. Payton, on the other hand, had a remarkable season, rushing for over 1,800 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns.

Throughout his nine-year career, from 1975 to 1984, Avellini completed a total of 7,111 passing yards. He threw 33 touchdowns and had 69 interceptions in the 73 games he played. Avellini, originally from New York, was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 1975 draft, the same class as Walter Payton, who was chosen as the fourth overall pick.

The passing of Bob Avellini leaves a void in the hearts of Bears fans and the football community. He will be remembered for his contributions to the game and his partnership with Walter Payton during their memorable season in 1977. The Chicago Bears organization extends their deepest condolences to Avellini's family and friends during this difficult time.