In his 11 seasons as Chicago Bears general manager, Jerry Angelo was no stranger to colorful quotes and the occasional memorable malaprop.

June 12, 2001, upon being named Chicago Bears general manager:

"I'm a stickler about staying the course and being a team player. I don't like rats off a sinking ship. I don't like backroom conversations. If it's not going to work, take it like a man. And I let everybody know that. I told the players this: 'I don't have a problem dealing with losing. I do have a problem dealing with losing attitudes.' "

"One thing about Tampa (his previous team): Do you know what losing does? It creates humility."

"Do I have skeletons in my closet? I have a bone convention. But I've had some wins, too. And I've got a little bit of an ego. I think more about my wins than my losses."

"I think the hardest thing for an organization to do is evaluate itself. I found that to be true in every program, college or pro. It's very hard to do because when you're looking at it internally, there's more emotions involved. There are agendas. People sometimes don't want to be truthful. It's easier for me to clean up your back yard than it is mine. I mentioned this to Ted (Phillips). Yours looks like junk. Mine looks like art."

"I told Ted (Phillips) I'm a specialist in losing. I know what losing is, and I feel I can help you get out of losing. I've done it. You've just got to hang tough and stay the course. We'll do that."

Jan. 15, 2004, on what would happen if coach Lovie Smith didn't pan out:

"The next autopsy will be mine."



Jan. 15, 2004, while reacting to criticism that he was power hungry and a control freak:

"I've listened to so much crap in the last two weeks, I've (had) to look myself in the mirror. I said, 'You know, I should have a turban on.'"

"My reference to wearing a turban earlier today was not intended to be hurtful. I should have explained more clearly that I do not view myself as an ayatollah or an all-powerful ruler. Better said, I do not wear a crown. I apologize for my poor choice of words."

January 2005:

"It's not about who's right. It's about being right. It's not one person's fault. There's a certain accountability in every organization. That's the way businesses are run. Certainly, there's going to be accountability here.



“If you (the media horde) were held accountable on some of the opinions you give, you would have a crayon in your hand."

February 2006 after another Rex Grossman injury-plagued season and Kyle Orton’s rookie season:

"I like Rex. He needs to do it over a period of time. Orton has to take another step. There are areas he has to improve before I feel real comfortable. In the interim, I have to be looking out for Mr. Goodbar, who I can bring in for nothing so if all falls apart, he can take us to the promised land.”

April 27, 2008:

"We're in the business of winning football games. We're not going to prostitute character. We don't put winning in front of character."

April 2011, on a botched trade with the Ravens:

“Believe me, I am going into my 31st year in this league. There has been a hell of a lot worse that has been done, believe me, on the clock and there have been things out there documented so let’s not get into judging souls here. If there is something that needs to be done, I trust the league will do their due diligence and so be it.”

Dec. 11, 2011:“When you get to a point in your career, the thought is always going to come up,” Angelo said. “I’ve been in the league a long time. I enjoy what I do very much. I’ve been very fortunate. I work with a great organization, great people. I still want to make a run at this."

Dec. 16, 2011, after receiver Sam Hurd's drug arrest:"When we do our homework on players, we have a very sound and tested mythology that we go about researching all players in college to veteran free agents and it starts in college."

Dec. 16, 2011, after being asked whether Hurd's shocking arrest would impact his future:

"Whistle Dixie."