Asked about the defense that carried the Bears to the 1963 NFL championship, Mike Ditka knew he had to tread lightly.
“I can’t win in this,” Ditka said in a panel discussion of that team with wide receiver Johnny Morris and offensive tackle Bob Wetoska at the Bears 100 Celebration Weekend in Rosemont. “I think it was the best. They only gave up 10 points [a game] — hello? Our defense was unbelievable. People don’t remember. I can remember [linebackers] Joe Fortunato, Bill George and those guys. [Cornerback] J.C. Caroline, I can go on and on. [Safety] Rosie Taylor.