Otis Wilson

Otis Wilson was born on September 15, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York. He commenced his collegiate football career at Syracuse University before transferring to the University of Louisville. At Louisville, Wilson was a three-year letter winner from 1977 to 1979, serving as team captain in his final year and earning first-team All-American honors from the Sporting News in 1979. He concluded his college career ranked second all-time in Louisville football history with 484 career tackles and fifth with 32 tackles for loss.

Wilson was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1980 NFL draft, marking the beginning of a nine-year professional career. As a starting outside linebacker, he became a key component of the Bears’ formidable “46” defense, which led the team to victory in Super Bowl XX in 1985. During this championship season, Wilson recorded 10.5 sacks and was selected for his only Pro Bowl. His impact extended beyond on-field performance, as he was a featured soloist in the team’s iconic “Super Bowl Shuffle” video. After playing with the Bears until 1987, and missing the 1988 season due to injuries, he briefly signed with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989 before retiring. He finished his career with 36 sacks, 8 fumble recoveries, 10 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns across 110 games.

Following his football career, Wilson has dedicated his efforts to his nonprofit, The Otis Wilson Charitable Association, which provides health and fitness programs for at-risk youth in the Chicago area. He also authored the book “If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Bears,” released in September 2017, sharing insights from his time with the team. In 2010, he reunited with other members of the 1985 Chicago Bears to perform the “Super Bowl Shuffle” in a Boost Mobile commercial, demonstrating his lasting legacy in sports and culture.