On Aug. 28, 1965, Dudley Field in Nashville hosted its first professional football preseason game in more than 20 years as the Chicago Bears faced the Los Angeles Rams. The event drew a crowd of about 21,000 fans.
Chicago Bears quarterback Bill Wade, who had previously played for Vanderbilt University in Nashville, was at the center of local interest. Prior to the game, Wade hosted a dinner for his teammates after their arrival in town. Head coach George Halas and defensive star Dick Evey accompanied him during these activities.
Preparations at Dudley Field included moving goal posts to accommodate the upcoming game. Jack Lynn from Vanderbilt’s Department of Grounds and Buildings directed Richard Baker of the Athletic Department on where to begin digging for a goal post on Aug. 17, 1965.
Local community members got involved ahead of the event as well. Members of Cub Scout Den Pack 32 examined a poster featuring Wade promoting the NFL exhibition matchup between the Bears and Rams.
Media representatives made public appearances throughout Nashville leading up to kickoff. Dan Desmond, Bears publicist, and Jack Teele, Rams publicist, were present for publicity events shortly before game day.
The exhibition game also attracted notable personalities outside football. Country music artist Eddy Arnold joined CBS’s broadcast crew covering the match at Dudley Field. Among those providing commentary was former Chicago Bears player and Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee George Connor.
During the contest itself, both teams featured prominent players making significant plays on both sides of the ball. Chicago rookie Gale Sayers scored two touchdowns—one coming via a punt return for seventy-seven yards and another through a ninety-three-yard kickoff return—while quarterback Wade contributed with passing touchdowns under pressure from Rams defenders Merlin Olsen and Lamar Lundy.
On defense, rookie linebacker Dick Butkus was active for Chicago, while Roosevelt Grier led efforts among Los Angeles’s “Fearsome Foursome.” Several moments highlighted offensive maneuvers by both teams’ running backs and receivers as well as defensive stops and turnovers.
After four quarters, Chicago secured a win against Los Angeles with a final score of twenty-eight to fourteen. Young fans surrounded stars like Wade and Evey following the conclusion of play seeking autographs after witnessing what was described as a historic return of professional football preseason action to Nashville.
