Refrigerator Did Not Suffer Meltdown Against Raiders

William (the Refrigerator) Perry was back, smiling again.

“A couple of more steps,” he laughed when he was asked about almost catching up to running back Marcus Allen of the Raiders.

Perry’s return led to one of the lighter moments for Chicago fans in the Bears’ 37-22 exhibition loss to the Raiders Friday night.

The lumbering but quick-footed Perry gave chase after Allen caught a screen pass and was weaving away from other tacklers.

It was Perry’s 1988 debut, after the huge defensive lineman went through a month of treatment for eating disorders.

“It was good to come back and get in a game before the season opened,” Perry said. “Now that I’ve got a game under my belt, I’m looking forward to better things.”

Despite his long layoff, which included missing the entire summer training camp, Perry played three-quarters of the game. He had one tackle and assisted on another. He also put pressure on quarterback Steve Beuerlein several times.

“It didn’t feel like no other game,” Perry said. “It was a little rough, and I’m a little sore, but it was good to get in some hitting. It was totally different from practice.”

Perry said there was no difference switching positions with Dan Hampton and going from tackle to defensive end.

“I could have played five quarters if I had to,” he said. “But it’ll take a game or two to get in full shape. I think I did a pretty good job.”

“Outstanding,” Coach Mike Ditka said. “I thought he could run a marathon tomorrow.”

Ditka said it would be determined on Wednesday if Perry will start in the season opener against the Miami Dolphins here next Sunday.