NFF National Scholar-Athletes
An All-ECAC wide receiver from Boston College, Tom Waddle ranks fourth in school history in single-season receptions (70); fifth in single-season 100+ yard receiving games (3); sixth in career receptions (139) and single-season receiving yards (902); seventh in single-game receiving yards (174); and 10th in career receiving yards (1,965) and career 100+ yard receiving games (4). He also holds the school record for single-game receptions (13). Named the MVP of the Boston College-Syracuse game, Waddle was invited to play in the Japan Bowl. In 1998, Waddle was inducted into the Varsity Club Hall of Fame.
In 1989, the Chicago Bears signed Waddle as an undrafted free agent. In his first start in 1991, he made eight catches for 102 yards in a 19-13 overtime win over the New York Jets. Waddle also started in the wild card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, catching nine passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. Following the 1991 season, he was named to the All-Madden Team. Waddle moved into a permanent starting role for the 1992 and 1993 seasons but injuries forced him to retire in 1994. The Bears’ leading receiver in 1991, 1992 and 1993, he finished his career with 173 catches for 2,109 yards and nine touchdowns.
After retiring from football, Waddle began working for WFLD, the FOX affiliate in Chicago, as the host of weekend football-oriented programs. He covered pre- and post-game shows for Bears games and served as a weekend and fill-in sports anchor. Waddle later co-hosted Chicago Bears Gameday Live, Fox Kickoff Sunday and The Final Word. In 2013, Waddle joined WLS, Chicago’s ABC affiliate, and is currently a regular contributor on the station's morning show and continues to provide analysis on Bears-themed programming. Waddle also began working with the NFL Network in Los Angeles as a gameday analyst in 2007. In 2013, he began working as a guest analyst for Colin Cowherd's "Colin's New Football Show.”
