On Sunday, the Chicago Bears take on the Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London to kick off the NFL's 2019 International Series. Thirty-three years ago, the Bears -- having just shuffled themselves to a Super Bowl XX victory -- first visited London in the preseason to play the Dallas Cowboys in the inaugural American Bowl -- the precursor to the NFL's International Series.

Stroll down memory lane with then-Bears head coach Mike Ditka and longtime team photographer Bill Smith, who was with the Bears until 2018.

AP Photo/Jeff Widener

Young British NFL fans try to stay dry under a U.S. flag before the American Bowl on Aug. 3, 1986, pitting the Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears against the Dallas Cowboys. The Bears last visited London back in 2011, defeating Tampa Bay 24-18, while the Cowboys beat Jacksonville 31-17 there in 2014.

Bears coach Mike Ditka: "The fans were terrific. They were very receptive to the game. They have that soccer mentality and really got into how physical it was."

AP Photo/Charlie Bennett

Having led his teammates to the end zone so many times during his Hall of Fame career, Bears running back Walter Payton points the way to the buses upon their arrival in London. Payton rushed for 1,333 yards and eight touchdowns in 1986. He retired after the 1987 season.

Ditka: "Since it was a preseason game, I remember I was pretty lenient on the curfew, maybe by 10 p.m. But they never, ever told me where they went! Sure, Walter might have told everyone where the buses were, but he took a limo to the hotel."

AP Photo/Ron Heflin

During the week leading up to the game, players were able to be tourists and do a little sightseeing. Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett, left, and wide receiver Tony Hill take in Buckingham Palace.

Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Archives

Cowboys cheerleaders offer up their trademark smiles and all-American flair, but this British Royal Horse Guard remains stoic, as is custom with all of the Royal Palace guards.

Ditka: "Dallas brought the cheerleaders, but because they were all soccer fans, our kicker Kevin Butler was a hit."

Bill Smith

Re-creating the iconic Beatles album cover, Bears, from left, Keith Van Horne, Jim McMahon, Dan Hampton and Kevin Butler cross Abbey Road. True to form, McMahon mimics Paul McCartney's barefoot stroll, while Butler's white trench coat represents John Lennon's white suit.

Former Bears photographer Bill Smith: "On the plane ride over to London, Dan Hampton suggested that it would be cool to shoot a photo of four players crossing the famous Abbey Road across from Apple Records' recording studio. He recruited Jim McMahon, Van Horne and Butler to participate. Most Londoners didn't recognize the Bear players, so they were quite aggravated as we temporarily blocked traffic trying to get the shot just right. We had even brought an 'Abbey Road' album with us for reference!"

AP Photo/Ron Heflin

With the British Union Jack flying high from one of the stadium's towers in the distance, players work out at Wembley Stadium. In 2002, the original arena was torn down to make room for the current version of Wembley Stadium.

Ditka: "Unlike [Sunday's game], this was a preseason game, so the preparation wasn't like getting ready for a regular-season game. It was pretty loose. I saw this as like a reward by the league for us winning the Super Bowl, and I think the players saw it that way, too."

AP Photo/Charles Bennett

Before photobombing was a thing, Bears quarterback Jim McMahon listens in on an interview with Cowboys head coach Tom Landry at the Crystal Palace sports center in London.

Mark Leech/Getty Images

Larger-than-life William "The Refrigerator" Perry was all laughs during a practice session in London. The Bears were full of personalities, but none bigger than the Fridge. He would go on to score a touchdown in the London game -- the only touchdown of the game -- but teammate Walter Payton once again did not, just as in Super Bowl XX.

Smith: "One of the surprising things about the London trip was how popular the Fridge was with the English fans. The stars of that team were Payton, McMahon and [Richard] Dent. But the rock star to London media and fans was undoubtedly Perry. They didn't understand much about American football in 1986, but they all knew the Fridge."

AP Photo/Gerald Penny

Tom Landry was known for roaming the sideline on game day wearing his trademark fedora, while Ed "Too Tall" Jones was one of the fiercest defensive ends in the NFL. In London, Landry and Jones swapped headgear with the local policemen, known as bobbies.

Ditka: "Coach Landry was one of my mentors and favorite people I've ever met. I owe him everything. He enjoyed himself out there."

AP Photo/Ron Heflin

Jim McMahon scrambles in the first quarter, with Cowboys defensive tackles Jim Jeffcoat (77) and John Dutton (78) in pursuit. It was a soggy, defensive struggle.

Ditka: "It was interesting. The fans were really cheering loud, but I don't think they knew when to cheer or when to boo. They did do the wave, though."

Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Archives

In the rain, a sellout crowd of 86,000 watches McMahon fade back to pass. The Bears went on to win 17-6 and helped NFL football grow in Europe from curiosity to mainstream sport. But it's still got a long way to go.

Ditka: "Let's be honest. Football is a U.S. sport. Basketball, soccer even baseball to a certain extent are universal sports. I think it'll be hard for football to become as universal as that."