Early life

Avellini grew up in New Hyde Park, NY (Long Island), and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball while in high school. He played along other baseball greats such as Frankie Franco.

Pro career

As a rookie with the Bears in 1975, Avellini started four games on a team that finished 4-10. He threw for 942 yards with 6 TD passes along with 11 interceptions. Fully established as the Bears starter in 1976, he started all fourteen games, throwing for 1580 yards, although with a bad "td pass/int" ratio of 8/15. Chicago did improve to a 7-7 mark. Avellini improved on those numbers in 1977, passing for 2004 yards while once again starting every game for the Bears. However, once again his interception rate was rather high, throwing 18 picks compared to only 11 touchdown passes. The Bears again showed improvement as they ended up tying the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC Central title at 9-5 and earning a trip to the playoffs as the wildcard team - where they were handily beaten by the Dallas Cowboys. Walter Payton’s big season, where he piled up over 1,800 yards rushing, had a lot to do with their success. In 1978, the Bears would struggle, as they started 4-8 with Avellini under center, as he continued to pile up interceptions with 16 - while only tossing 5 TD passes. This caused coach Neill Armstrong to make a switch at quarterback - as he inserted veteran Mike Phipps into the starting role. Phipps - who the Bears had traded their first-round pick in the 1978 draft to acquire from Cleveland - promptly won three out of the final four games, to establish himself as the starter for the next season. The Bears would surprisingly roll to a 10-6 record in 1979 - which would tie Tampa Bay for the division title - and Avellini would now be in a backup role. He would continue in this capacity - playing behind Phipps, Vince Evans and Jim McMahon - until the 1984 season, seeing little action on the field. In 1984 - with the Bears starting 2-0 - Jim McMahon was injured and Mike Ditka inserted Bob Avellini in as the starter for a road game against Green Bay. Avellini had only started five games since the end of the 1978 season. The Bears could muster little offense with Avellini at the controls, but still managed to edge out the Packers 9-7. Chicago continued to struggle the next week as they were soundly beaten by Seattle 38-9. This resulted in Avellini being cut from the Bear’s roster by Ditka - and thus ending his decade-long tenure with Chicago. Avellini later signed on with the New York Jets where he would end his playing career after the 1984 season. The Bears, meanwhile, would go to the NFC Championship game that season and then win the Super Bowl the next season. Avellini was actively involved in the YMCA Big Brother Program during his career.

Legal troubles

In October 2013, a DuPage County grand jury indicted former Avellini on felony drunken driving charges a week after his sixth DUI-related arrest since 2002.

In May 2009, Avellini was arrested for driving under the influence and acquitted for the third time. He had been convicted of the offense in 2002. On November 19, 2014, Avellini was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his 3rd DUI. Avellini declared bankruptcy on February 27, 2012 listing debts of more than $2.2 million and assets of $1.3 million.

On November 20, 2014, Avellini was sentenced to 18 months in prison for aggravated DUI.

Personal life

Avellini is actively involved in a number of Chicago area charitable organizations and despite his professional real estate career has been on the air at several Chicago radio and television sports shows.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]