No one likes to remember that fateful day in November 1986 when Packers defensive tackle Charles Martin (RIP), unnecessarily and late, slammed Bears quarterback Jim McMahon to the hard artificial turf, ending his season and effectively putting quite the damper on any hopes of a repeat championship … But, apparently everyone does want to see the video.

After years of scouring the Internets, sending out fliers to relatives that might possess a VHS copy, and attempting to recreate the play frame-by-frame with your Starting Lineup action figures, the video has finally surfaced. And in the most obvious of places, too: The 3:10 mark of a Bears-Packers rivalry video entitled, “The Rivalry”, posted on the Bears official Web site. Why, of course.

Since Dec. 9, the day it was uploaded, Bears fans everywhere have had access to what was previously thought to have been permanently lost forever in our collective memories; existing only in second and third-handed accounts and hearsay; the Holy Grail of Bears-Packers artifact history. And the response has been … disappointingly quiescent.

Nothing from any of the major — or at least, what I opine to be the bigger — Bears blogs; No Windy City Gridiron, No Da Bears Blog, No Bear Goggles On. But, in all fairness, that’s probably because after watching the hit, our imagined version of the play was much better than the actual play.

That’s not to discredit the overtness of Martin’s cheapshot, or its significance to the Bears season or McMahon’s career, but you’re like, “Oh, wow, that’s uncalled for. I wonder how far McMahon bounced,” and then it’s over. It’s three fucking seconds long. Maybe, I’m being unappreciative of just it’s mere existence, but I think, really, what’s missing is perspective. Let me see ten seconds before the play and ten seconds after (which then would be 18 seconds after the whistle, right?). This way we see exactly how late Martin really was, and of course, the ensuing raucous that occurred after.

But, anyway, did I mention there is now footage of the Charles Martin hit on Jim McMahon, available for you to view on your own accord?! I will say this: As unimpressive as the slam heard ’round the world looks on video, you have to respect pretty much everything about it.

Martin had a fucking hit list scribbled on the towel he wore during the game. He was ejected, suspended two games and summarily released after the season. Bears linebacker Otis Wilson wanted to “go get [his] magnum and blow his ass away.” Clearly, the play defined Martin’s career — fairly or not — and most telling, even followed him after his life was over.

From an AP write-up announcing his 2005 passing:

HOUSTON — Charles Martin, the former Green Bay defensive end who body-slammed Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon into the turf and ended his season in 1986, has died. He was 46.

Martin, who played for the Packers, Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons during his five-year NFL career, died Sunday at Memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, a hospital spokesman said.

“He probably died from complications of his renal (kidney) disease,” Dr. Charles Aramburo, Martin’s surgeon, told Houston television station KRIV on Tuesday. “We are still waiting for the results from the autopsy which will be definitive.”

In 1986, Martin drove McMahon into the ground after the quarterback had thrown a pass. McMahon was out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Martin was wearing a towel with the numbers of Bears’ players on it during the game. McMahon’s No. 9 was at the top of the list. Martin was ejected for a flagrant late hit and suspended for two games.

Martin played for the Packers from 1984-87. He also played for the Oilers in 1987 and the Falcons in 1988. He began his pro football career with the USFL Birmingham Stallions in 1983.

Funeral services are pending with Mabrie Memorial Mortuary in Houston.

So yeah, it was like that.

H/T: Football’s Future

(Update) Reader Allen writes in with an important add-on:

There a back story. Jerry Markbreit (sp) who was referring the game called a roughing the quarback penalty (obviously) on Martin. A Bear , off camera , slammed a Packer to the ground in retaliation. Jerry saw the another official about to flag the Bears. Jerry told him not to, if the official wanted to get out alive.

A great move by Markbreit. Allen neglected to mention the Packer was, in fact, just their water boy, but you know, revenge is revenge.

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