PHILADELPHIA — Trey Burton threw a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl nine months earlier, seemingly making him the best option on the Chicago Bears to run a similar trick play midway through the 2018 season. The coaching staff introduced the formation — which closely resembled the “Philly Special” — and assigned Burton to handle the same role he did for the Eagles.
A running back would take the snap before pitching it to Burton as he ran through the backfield. Burton, who played quarterback in high school, was then to lob a pass to the end zone. Easy enough for Burton, who completed the Philly Special — a play etched forever in the city’s sports lore — five years ago this month.
Except Burton told the Chicago coaches he could not do it. It looked so effortless and easy when Burton hit Nick Foles in the Super Bowl. But it didn’t translate that October to the Bears practice field. It felt like a mental block, Burton told them.
