Bob Avellini
Encyclopedia
Robert Hayden Avellini was a quarterback
in the NFL. For most of his career, he played for the Chicago Bears
before finishing with the New York Jets
. His nickname was "Slow-Mo".
Fully established as the Bears starter in 1976. He started all fourteen games, throwing for 1580 yards, although with a bad "td pass/int" ratio of 8/15. Chicago did improve to a 7-7 mark. Avellini improved on those numbers in 1977, passing for 2004 yards while once again starting every game for the Bears. However, once again his interception rate was rather high, throwing 18 picks compared to only 11 touchdown passes. The Bears again showed improvement as they ended up tying the Minnesota Vikings
for the NFC Central title at 9-5 and earning a trip to the playoffs as the wildcard team – where they were handily beaten by the Dallas Cowboys
. Walter Payton’s big season, where he piled up over 1,800 yards rushing, had a lot to do with their success.
In 1978, the Bears would struggle, as they started 4-8 with Avellini under center, as he continued to pile up interceptions with 16 – while only tossing 5 TD passes. This caused coach Neill Armstrong
to make a switch at quarterback – as he inserted veteran Mike Phipps
into the starting role. Phipps – who the Bears had traded their first-round pick in the 1978 draft to acquire from Cleveland – promptly won three out of the final four games, to establish himself as the starter for the next season.
The Bears would surprisingly roll to a 10-6 record in 1979 – which would tie Tampa Bay for the division title – and Avellini would now be in a backup role. He would continue in this capacity – playing behind Phipps, Vince Evans
and Jim McMahon
– until the 1984 season, seeing little action on the field.
In 1984 – with the Bears starting 2-0 – Jim McMahon was injured and Mike Ditka
inserted Bob Avellini in as the starter for a road game against Green Bay. Avellini had only started five games since the end of the 1978 season. The Bears could muster little offense with Avellini at the controls, but still managed to edge out the Packers 9-7. Chicago continued to struggle the next week as they were soundly beaten by Seattle 38-9. This resulted in Avellini being cut from the Bear’s roster by Ditka – and thus ending his decade-long tenure with Chicago. Avellini later signed on with the New York Jets
where he would end his playing career after the 1984 season. The Bears, meanwhile, would go to the NFC Championship game that season and then win the Super Bowl the next season.
Avellini was actively involved in the YMCA
Big Brother Program during his career.
In May 2009, Avellini was arrested for driving under the influence
and acquitted for the third time. He had been convicted of the offense in 2002.
Avellini is actively involved in a number of Chicagoland Charitable Organizations and despite
his professional Real Estate Career is a well-respected authority on several Chicago Radio
and Television Sports Shows
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
in the NFL. For most of his career, he played for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
before finishing with the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. His nickname was "Slow-Mo".
Pro career
As a rookie with the Bears in 1975, Avellini started four games on a team that finished 4-10. He threw for 942 yards with 6 TD passes along with 11 interceptions.Fully established as the Bears starter in 1976. He started all fourteen games, throwing for 1580 yards, although with a bad "td pass/int" ratio of 8/15. Chicago did improve to a 7-7 mark. Avellini improved on those numbers in 1977, passing for 2004 yards while once again starting every game for the Bears. However, once again his interception rate was rather high, throwing 18 picks compared to only 11 touchdown passes. The Bears again showed improvement as they ended up tying the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
for the NFC Central title at 9-5 and earning a trip to the playoffs as the wildcard team – where they were handily beaten by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. Walter Payton’s big season, where he piled up over 1,800 yards rushing, had a lot to do with their success.
In 1978, the Bears would struggle, as they started 4-8 with Avellini under center, as he continued to pile up interceptions with 16 – while only tossing 5 TD passes. This caused coach Neill Armstrong
Neill Armstrong
Neill Ford Armstrong is a former American football player and coach whose career spanned more than 40 years at both the collegiate and professional levels....
to make a switch at quarterback – as he inserted veteran Mike Phipps
Mike Phipps
Michael Elston Phipps is a former professional American football quarterback who played collegiately for the Purdue University Boilermakers , and professionally for both the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears .-College career:After playing high school for Columbus High School in Columbus,...
into the starting role. Phipps – who the Bears had traded their first-round pick in the 1978 draft to acquire from Cleveland – promptly won three out of the final four games, to establish himself as the starter for the next season.
The Bears would surprisingly roll to a 10-6 record in 1979 – which would tie Tampa Bay for the division title – and Avellini would now be in a backup role. He would continue in this capacity – playing behind Phipps, Vince Evans
Vince Evans
Vincent Tobias Evans is a former professional American football quarterback who was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 1977 NFL Draft...
and Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon
James Robert "Jim" McMahon, Jr. is a former American football player. He played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a two-time All-American and later in the professional ranks with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona...
– until the 1984 season, seeing little action on the field.
In 1984 – with the Bears starting 2-0 – Jim McMahon was injured and Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
inserted Bob Avellini in as the starter for a road game against Green Bay. Avellini had only started five games since the end of the 1978 season. The Bears could muster little offense with Avellini at the controls, but still managed to edge out the Packers 9-7. Chicago continued to struggle the next week as they were soundly beaten by Seattle 38-9. This resulted in Avellini being cut from the Bear’s roster by Ditka – and thus ending his decade-long tenure with Chicago. Avellini later signed on with the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
where he would end his playing career after the 1984 season. The Bears, meanwhile, would go to the NFC Championship game that season and then win the Super Bowl the next season.
Avellini was actively involved in the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
Big Brother Program during his career.
In May 2009, Avellini was arrested for driving under the influence
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
and acquitted for the third time. He had been convicted of the offense in 2002.
Prior
Avellini grew up in New Hyde Park, NY (Long Island), and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball while in high school.Avellini is actively involved in a number of Chicagoland Charitable Organizations and despite
his professional Real Estate Career is a well-respected authority on several Chicago Radio
and Television Sports Shows