‘The Refrigerator’ Falls on Packers, 23-7

One big tub of goo deserves another. So decided the producers of television’s “Late Night With David Letterman,” who have invited William (The Refrigerator) Perry to grace the show with his 308 pounds as a sequel to an earlier appearance by Atlanta pitcher Terry Forster.

Perry, Chicago’s rookie defensive tackle/running back, became an even more desirable entree Monday night as he threw his heart, soul and belly into a 23-7 win over Green Bay that extended the Bears’ unbeaten record to 7-0. He scored once and cleared the way for Walter Payton to score twice on short runs.

“On my second touchdown, it felt like I was stealing, because he just caved in the whole side of the line,” Payton said. “He’s great to hide behind. He’s like a bull in a China shop.”

Perry, as modest and congenial as he is enormous, said he just wants to help any way he can. “I was just having fun,” he said. “I’m just a straight-ahead runner on the goal line.”

Asked about his blocking, particularly his punishment of Green Bay linebacker George Cumby, Perry said: “My responsibility was just to block the linebacker and whoever else got in the way. I think I rung Cumby’s bell.”

The crowd ate it up. “Fridge! Fridge!” they yelled. And every TV-watcher who ever arose from his armchair and headed for the kitchen during a timeout would have to love the strange cheer that rolled through historic old Soldier Field.

Perry, dubbed by Chicago writers as the 8th, 9th and 10th wonders of the world, shoved his massive gut into the company of such well-endowed runners of the past as Marion Motley, Tank Younger and Pete Johnson. They were all accomplished eaters and formidable backs, but none ever had his own unique cheer.

Perry, recently converted to a part-time back by Coach Mike Ditka, gave the fans a little extra to applaud on a night when there was nothing artsy, unless you’re into midsections. The Bears stayed unbeaten in spite of committing four turnovers. In true Bear fashion, they also forced five.

The redeeming feature of the evening was Perry, the rookie from Clemson, where he was sometimes known as “G.E.”

After making his debut as a running back a week ago Sunday against San Francisco, when he ran twice for four yards, “The Refrigerator” burst into full-blown prominence against Green Bay.

Ditka deployed him against the 49ers presumably out of spite for his coaching antagonist, Bill Walsh, who had used offensive guard Guy (Angus) McIntyre in a playoff win over the Bears last winter.

“We’ll use him until they put somebody bigger than him in there to plug the hole,” Ditka said.

After years of having to scratch and claw for every inch, Payton had to appreciate Perry, who went after Green Bay’s Cumby as if he were 225 pounds of prime rib.

Perry put up some, uh, big numbers in the first half--a one-yard touchdown plunge accompanied by a monster spike, plus the two crunching blocks that freed Payton.

This afforded the Bears an ample lead over the last team to beat them in regular-season play. The Packers won here last December.

If not for some unusually sloppy ballhandling, which resulted in four lost fumbles, the Bears might have made it a runaway by halftime.

The Chicago defense--of which Perry is nominally a part--had its say, intercepting four throws by Packer quarterbacks in the first half.

The Bears fumbled three times in the first quarter, but trailed only 7-0 on a 27-yard pass from Lynn Dickey to James Lofton.

What the Bears gave, they also took away in nearly equal numbers. After a Mike Richardson interception stopped a Packer threat, Chicago launched a short drive to tie the game, 7-7.

The shock of it was compounded by the presence of Perry leading Payton into the end zone.