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Today in Chicago History: NFL uses instant replay for 1st time during a Bears game at Soldier Field

PUBLISHED Sep 7, 2026, 9:56 AM ET

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Today in Chicago History: NFL uses instant replay for 1st time during a Bears game at Soldier Field

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 25

Left 4%

Center 92%

Right 4%

Sources: 25

On September 7, 1986, the National Football League officially entered a new technological era during a Week 1 matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the defending Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Just three plays into the regular season, officials utilized instant replay for the first time in league history to review a fumble recovery by Browns safety Al Gross in the Chicago end zone. Initiated entirely from the press box booth before coaches' challenges existed, the review successfully confirmed the original call on the field. Despite being on the wrong end of this historic first review, the dominant Chicago Bears rallied to secure a victory. Earlier that year in March 1986, NFL owners voted 23 to 4 with one abstention to approve a limited trial implementation of instant replay to review specific scenarios including turnovers, sideline plays, and obvious scoring calls.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

1986-03 — On March 1986, NFL owners voted approving instant replay trial implementation.
On September 7 1986, NFL used instant replay for first time.
On September 7 1986, Browns safety Al Gross recovered a bad snap.
On September 7 1986, officials reviewed fumble recovery from press box booth.
On September 7 1986, replay review officially confirmed the call on field.
On September 7 1986, Chicago Bears secured victory against Cleveland Browns.
1986 — On 1986 season, league evaluated limited instant replay trial results.
null — On subsequent seasons, NFL refined and expanded instant replay mechanics.
null — On modern eras, leagues implemented coaches challenge review systems nationwide.
null — On future decades, technology expanded to automated officiating review assistance.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Modernized professional football officiating standards nationwide across sports leagues.
Possible long-term US impact: Transformed technology integration in professional sports officiating review systems.
Most affected groups: National Football League officials players teams and fans.
Reader priority: Historical sports technology documentation and official league records.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 25
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 23

Explain Framing

Left: Progressive analysis focuses on systemic modernization and technological integration. Center: Neutral reporting focused on historical sports technology implementation facts. Right: Traditional commentary highlights preservation of historical sports milestones.