Bears great Willie Gault talks collecting, autographs and 1985 Super Bowl

Willie Gault, an 11-year NFL wide receiver who won a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears after the 1985 season, signed autographs at a two-day card show in February in Las Vegas, delivering his recognizable, flowing signature on photos, cards, jerseys, and more.

“I don’t do many [card shows], maybe one every three, four or five years,” he said. “But I like [meeting] fans, interacting with fans. It’s pretty cool to see all the cards and collectibles.

“Cards now are crazy, the way [that business] has grown, I’m really impressed and amazed. I see stuff [at shows] that I’ve never seen before. Just the people who collect are incredible. And the money in the industry is crazy. I’ve seen cards worth $2 million … that’s crazy.”

Gault’s NFL career spanned 170 games — his first five seasons (1983-87) for the Bears and his final six (1988-93) for the Los Angeles Raiders. He finished with 333 receptions for 6,635 yards, along with nine returned punts for 60 yards, 154 yards rushing, and 45 kickoff returns for 1,088 yards. Gault had 45 career touchdowns (44 receiving and one kickoff return).

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Gault’s football card lineage dates to his 1984 Topps rookie card (No. 226), which had three variations. He also has had cards from Panini, Pro Set, Score, Action Packed, Fleer, and others.

“I have cards — baseball and football cards — but I wouldn’t say I’m a collector. I’ve gotten cards over the years, and I’ve collected them. I’ve gotten some of them signed, too,” he said. “[My personal cards], they’re interesting. Some, I really like. Some, I just wonder where they got that picture from and why they used that picture.

“I think it’s a tribute and blessing that I have cards; I guess that means you did something good to have cards.”

Gault said there are a few of his cards that he likes most, such as one that shows him spiking the football and one of him running in his Raiders uniform. “Those are two of my favorites,” he said.

Gault is not an avid autograph collector, though he has some in his collection, including Muhammad Ali and Michael Jackson.

“The autographs I want [to get], I cannot get because those people are dead, [including] Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Martin Luther King and Gandhi, among others. Those would be interesting.”

Gault’s distinctive autograph often includes his number and Super Bowl details, too.

“My mom had a similar autograph, and I started getting asked [to sign autographs] in high school. I sort of used her autograph and adapted it into my autograph,” Gault said. “Her W was similar, same with the G. I worked on it for about a week in high school, and it has not changed since. I try to keep it consistent, that way people know it’s mine. It’s difficult to copy, and that’s something I wanted. I also wanted something that looks like my name, and you can see the letters.

“It’s unique and when people see it, I know it’s mine.”

Gault had his best season in 1990 for the Raiders. He had 50 receptions for 985 yards. His longest career reception came in 1983, during his rookie season with the Bears, when he grabbed an 87-yard pass. He had a career-best eight touchdowns as a rookie in 1983.

He had four catches for 139 yards in the Super Bowl, which was a Super Bowl record at the time.

“That was memorable,” he said. “Just winning the Super Bowl with my guys was a dream come true.

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“I have memories forever from the Super Bowl team — the Super Bowl Shuffle, [the game being held] in New Orleans, etc.

“A lot of guys play in the league but never win a Super Bowl. I was very fortunate to win the Super Bowl. Dan Marino was a great player, but never won the Super Bowl. Same for Eric Dickerson.”

The 1985 Bears were, and still are, legendary. Head coach Mike Ditka led a team with quarterback Jim McMahon, running back Walter Payton, and the ever-popular William “The Refrigerator” Perry. They also featured future Hall of Famers Dan Hampton, Jimbo Covert, Richard Dent, and Mike Singletary.

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The Bears destroyed the New England Patriots 46-10.

“I think our team, that one year, could be one of the greatest teams ever,” Gault said. “The camaraderie with the guys, the fun times we had … that stands out.

“I was very fortunate to be able to play and win the Super Bowl. It made my career complete.

“We were a running team, so I was used as balance. I did a lot of deep routes; I cleared it out for Walter and my other teammates. Walter was a great player, a hard worker, a great guy, great teammate. I learned a lot from him.”

A Georgia native who attended the University of Tennessee, Gault was drafted in the first round by the Bears in 1983. He qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team and would have participated in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow had the U.S. not boycotted the event. He was one of 461 athletes to receive a Congressional Gold Medal.

“I worked really hard and was a great teammate. I did the best I could with what I had to work with and got the most out of my abilities. I feel proud about that,” Gault said.