Jeff Joniak
One of the most energetic and exciting voices of the National Football League, Jeff Joniak enters his 12th season behind the microphone as the play-by-play announcer of the Chicago Bears in 2012.
Joniak’s passion for the game and for the Bears is linked to a 26-year association with Chicago sports fans. Joniak has hosted the Chicago Bears game day broadcasts since 1997, serves as WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM′s Director of Sports Operations while maintaining his afternoon drive-time sports anchor shifts.
Additionally, Joniak hosts “The Bears Insider” radio show on WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM with Bears head coach Lovie Smith each Monday night during the season. On game days, Joniak and Bears analyst Tom Thayer co-host Bears produced television shows, “Bears Game Day Live” and “Bears Game Night Live”. During the season, Joniak also writes a column for the Daily Herald, and pens his weekly “Keys to the Game” on ChicagoBears.com and CBSChicago.com.
Joniak and the Bears Radio staff earned the 2007 Peter Lisagor Award and the Associated Press Award for “Best Sports Reporting” for their coverage of Super Bowl XLI, the Silver Dome Award for “Best Play-by-Play” in 2006, and a 2007 regional RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award for the Bears Radio pre-game feature “Joniak’s Journal” which focused on the difficulties experienced by Bears receiver Rashied Davis growing up in California during the “L.A. riots”.
Throughout the year, Joniak is asked to emcee many different events related to his work with the Bears including the National Football Foundation Scholarship Awards ceremony, the Ed Block Courage Award ceremony, the annual Bears Care Gala.
Before tackling Halas Hall, Joniak co-hosted the game day broadcasts for the Chicago Bulls during their championship years from 1991 to 1996. For the gripping coverage of the death of Walter Payton, Joniak and his staff won a prestigious Peter Lisagor Award. He also won two Lisagor awards for his coverage of the NFL Draft, AP awards for his sportscasts and Bears pre-game features.
Jeff’s first broadcasting job was at SportsPhone in Chicago, followed by stops at the Tribune Radio Network, Illinois News Network, CLTV, and Metro Networks where he started the sports department. It was at the old WMAQ Radio that Jeff became Sports Director, worked on the Bulls broadcasts, anchored morning drive, and started with the Bears in 1997, as co-host of the pre- and post-game shows.
A 1980 graduate of Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, and a 1984 Broadcast Journalism graduate of Iowa State University.
Joniak’s Keys To The Game: Bears At Jaguars
Here are Jeff Joniak’s “Keys to the Game” for the Bears’ trip to Jacksonville Sunday afternoon.
Joniak’s Journal: Running Game Must Improve
Smoothing out the rough spots after a month of Sundays begins with improving the first down production in the Bears’ run game.
Joniak’s Keys To The Game: Bears-Cowboys
Here are Jeff Joniak’s “Keys to the Game” for the Bears matchup against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
Joniak’s Journal: Defense Still Important In NFL
That statement challenges the prevailing opinion of NFL analysts, enthusiasts, I’m sure some coaches, most general managers, and probably every starting quarterback these days.
Joniak’s Keys To The Game: Bears-Rams
Check out Jeff Joniak’s “Keys to the Game” for the Bears matchup against the Rams on Sunday at Solider Field.
Joniak’s Journal: Bears Need To Forget Packers, Focus On Rams
Finally! Peace and quiet around Halas Hall as the focus shifts to Sunday’s visit from the St. Louis.
Joniak’s Journal: NFL Is All About Week-To-Week Swings
In a span of five days, we’ve already witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly of a football season. It’s not unusual.
Joniak’s Keys To The Game: Bears – Packers
Check out Jeff Joniak’s “Keys to the Game” for the Bears matchup against the Packers on Thursday at Lambeau Field.
Joniak’s Keys To The Game: Bears-Colts
Check out Jeff Joniak’s “Keys to the Game” for the Bears matchup against the Colts on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Joniak’s Journal: Mannelly Playing In 216th NFL Game Sunday
In his 216th NFL game Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, Patrick Mannelly begins a record 15th season with the Bears.
Joniak: Keys To The Game
Join Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer right now on the Bears Radio Network.
Joniak: Run Game Will Lead To Dallas
To get to Dallas, the Bears have to give the ball to Matt Forte.
Joniak: Keys To The Game
Offense: Block the Blitz This is the 8th straight start for the Bears offensive line. And it may be their most difficult challenge of the season. Rex Ryan’s defense brings the heat on every down. [...]
Joniak: Worry About Game, Not Conditions
Who in their right mind will be looking forward to play in wind chills predicted in the -20 degree range next Monday night?
Joniak: Keys To The Game
Jeff Joniak breaks down the keys to the Chicago Bears matchup with the New England Patriots.
Joniak: Keys To The Game
Check out Jeff Joniak’s Keys To The Game as your Chicago Bears face the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Bears Radio pre-game show begins at 9 a.m. C.T. and kick-off is at high Noon. GO BEARS!
Joniak: Keys To The Game
By Jeff Joniak– Offense: Control the Clock Like the Bears did in Miami, it is wise at this point to control the clock in order to quiet down the high scoring Eagles offense. It’s asking [...]
Keys To The Game
Check out Jeff Joniak’s Keys To The Game as your Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Bears Radio pre-game begins at 9 a.m. C.T. with Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer and kick-off is at high Noon!
Keys To The Game
Check out Jeff Joniak’s Keys To The Game as your Chicago Bears face the Buffalo Bills in Canada, eh! Pre-game begins at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Kick-off is at high Noon!
Joniak’s Keys To The Game
Check out Jeff Joniak’s Keys To The Game as your Chicago Bears play the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field. Bears Radio pregame starts at 9 a.m. C.T. kickoff is at high Noon!
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