Former Bears QB Bill Wade Passes Away At 85

(CBS) Bill Wade, the quarterback of the 1963 NFL champion Chicago Bears, passed away Wednesday evening. He was 85.

"Bill Wade was a gentleman in every sense of the word," Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement. "He carried himself with dignity in all aspects of his life. Even in more recent years when he experienced health challenges, Bill maintained a positive disposition and expressed gratitude for everything he had. Those qualities were what made him a great leader and a favorite of Papa Bear."

Wade is still sixth in franchise history in passing yards (9,958) and third in passing touchdowns (68). He played for the Bears from 1961-'66.