The 1963 Chicago Bears posted a regular season record of 11-1-2, earning them an NFL Western Conference Championship. This was their last playoff berth prior to the AFL-NFL merger and they won a spot in the NFL Championship game against the 11-3 New York Giants. Originally, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle asked Bears owner/coach George Halas to move the game to Soldier Field due to increased seating capacity as well as lights, in case the sun would set during the game. When Halas refused, Rozelle pulled the starting time of the game to 12:05 pm Central Time. The championship was also played on a day when the game time temperature was around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Da Bears would win that day by a score of 14-10 and wouldn’t appear in another Championship game until 1986 (the 1985 team). In 2007 ESPN.com ranked the ’63 Bears as the 9th greatest defense in NFL history.

Charlie Bivens (D 1994) was a 7th round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 1960 NFL draft out of tiny Morris Brown College. He was a backup halfback and tight end; as well as a kick returner during his 7 year Professional football career. He spent his first 6 years with the Bears and his last season with the AFL – Buffalo Bills and finishing his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. To the best of our knowledge, this prized championship ring represents the first and only opportunity for Bears collectors to own this Holy Grail from the last great Bears team of the 1960s. Everything would go downhill for the next 20 some years for Papa Bear’s gridiron teams. According to our research, the majority of the players on this team felt such a keen sense of family and unity that they have refused to give up or sell their rings at any price. Click here to read the article.

This size 10.75 – 11, 14K gold ring was made by Jostens and has the original interior band stamp of, “Josten 14K” (part of the K has been worn). The very attractive design is similar to the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series ring (also made by Jostens) and features a large diamond in the center which is inside of Wrigley Field (where the Bears played before moving to Solider Field in 1971). The top panel reads, “CHICAGO BEARS” with the left center side reading 19 and the right side 63. The bottom panel reads, “WORLD CHAMPIONS.”

The left shank reads “BIVENS” over a C with a football inside (the Bears logo) and below is his jersey number – “49.” The right shank reads, “CHICAGO 14” on top of the NFL shield. Below the shield reads, “NEW YORK 10.”

The ring would rate NR MT condition. There is some wear, but for a 50 plus year old championship ring, this is in outstanding condition. Super RARE!!!

Auction Notepad