For immediate release
Chicago, IL - September 4, 2019
WTTW News announced that former Chicago Bears All-Pro offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams will return to Chicago Tonight, which airs weeknights at 7:00 pm on WTTW11 and streams live and on demand on wttw.com/news, Facebook, and YouTube, to preview upcoming Bears games throughout the 2019-20 season. Beginning tonight, will appear on Thursday evenings prior to each Sunday or Monday game, and on Wednesdays prior to each of the Bears’ three scheduled Thursday night contests, sharing his keys to success for the team. Williams’ return to WTTW comes on the heels of the Bears’ dramatic 2018 turnaround from perennial also-ran to Super Bowl contender.
Williams, a popular Bears player from 1991 to 2002, previously served as WTTW’s football analyst for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and returned last winter to help preview the playoffs.
Williams was an undrafted free agent when he joined the Bears in 1991, and became a mainstay on the offensive line after making the switch from the defensive side of the ball. The 6’7”, 300+ pound Williams got the nickname “Big Cat” from former Bears assistant coach Dave McGinnis. The story goes that when Williams first got out of the car at Bears camp, McGinnis turned to Coach Mike Ditka and said, “man, that’s the biggest cat I’ve ever seen!” And the moniker stuck.
“We are pleased to welcome “Big Cat” back to Chicago Tonight,” said supervising producer Jay Smith. “His insights and analysis will be invaluable as we follow the Bears’ progress through the coming season, and perhaps beyond to the playoffs and the Super Bowl.”
“I’m excited to be coming back to WTTW and Chicago Tonight to preview Bears games this season,” said Williams. “It’s always fun to talk football with Phil, Paris, and the team.”
About CHICAGO TONIGHT
WTTW’s flagship nightly newsmagazine Chicago Tonight celebrated 35 years on the air in April 2019. Airing at 7:00 pm weeknights on WTTW11 and live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, and online at. The award-winning series hosted by Phil Ponce covers Chicago stories in politics, arts, science and technology, health, business, architecture, education, history, and more. The website presents original reporting, extensive video, a comprehensive archive of Chicago stories and other special features. Audiences can connect with Chicago Tonight on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
About WTTW
WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to creating and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW11, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create/WTTW World, WTTW PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com and the PBS/WTTW video app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions such as Chicago Tonight, Chicago River Tour, Check, Please!, digital-first series Urban Nature and Foodphiles and national productions 10 That Changed America and Nature Cat, WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s public media content. Connect with WTTW on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
