Two former Super Bowl champions normally wouldn’t have much to do with the DeKalb area. But tonight, that will change.

Otis Wilson and Dennis McKinnon, two players with the 1985 NFL Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears, will sign autographs and visit with fans tonight at two local locations.

Former outside linebacker Wilson and former wide receiver McKinnon will appear from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Phone Store, 2587 Sycamore Road, next to Sears and Boston Market. “The Original Junk Yard Dog” and “Silky D” will then head to Molly’s Eatery and Drinkery, 1022 W. Lincoln Highway, to meet with fans and watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles football game until 9 p.m.

“I’m gonna try to sneak off of work so I can go,” said Ryan Powers, a junior computer science major. “When I was 5-years old, I used to watch them play. [Wilson] is one of the first guys I remember watching on that defense. They’re huge, larger-than-life people.”

The appearance is a nice surprise for local Bears fans who normally wouldn’t expect a Bears encounter in DeKalb.

“I think it’s pretty cool that they’re getting that, for them it’s gotta be nice to come out and meet fans,” senior English major Eric Kirwan said. “This is a great opportunity for people in the DeKalb area to see some great Bears players from a great Bears team.”

Wilson hunted and sometimes annihilated opposing quarterbacks and running backs for the Bears from 1980 to ’88. He was a cornerstone of Buddy Ryan’s famous “46” defense, arguably the best defense in NFL history. McKinnon was a steady receiver and kick returner in the ’80s and early ’90s with quick feet and sure hands.

“Compared to the other exciting things in DeKalb, this will be pretty huge,” Powers said. “They’re legends. Otis Wilson is a household name.”

The visit also is part of the Sycamore Phone Store’s grand opening. It had its soft opening, which was without promotion, in August.

“We’ve been looking for an opportunity to do a big, public grand opening,” said Tim Norris, part-owner of both stores. “We’re excited to have them come out. I’m really excited, as well as the Bears are doing. It kind of rekindles the ‘85 Bears. That’s what’s so exciting about the 2001 Bears, it brings back the memories from ‘85. I’m really excited to meet Otis and Dennis.”

As part of the store promotion, The Phone Store and Molly’s both will raffle off a pair of tickets for the Dec. 16 Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at Soldier Field. The Phone Store also will raffle off a football autographed by current Bears Brian Urlacher, Marcus Robinson, Jim Miller and by Wilson and McKinnon. A Dan Hampton-autographed ball will be given away at both The Phone Store and Molly’s.

The appearance of Wilson and McKinnon should trigger memories for anyone old enough to remember 1985.

“A good majority of NIU students were probably 3 to 4 years old when the Bears won,” Norris said. “They probably don’t remember much. If anything, I think it’d be a lot of fun for those who don’t remember. It’s a good Christmas gift idea to get a picture or an autograph for your dad or your brother or someone.”

The moment that perhaps sealed Wilson’s fate forever as a Chicago icon was his vocal solo during the infamous “Super Bowl Shuffle.” It went: “I’m Mama’s Boy Otis, one of a kind/ The ladies all love me for my body and my mind/ I’m slick on the floor as I can be/ But ain’t no sucker gonna get past me/ Some guys are jealous of my style and class/ That’s why some end up on their ass/ I didn’t come here lookin’ for trouble/ I just get down to ‘The Super Bowl Shuffle.'”

Norris, who owns both stores in a partnership with Molly’s owners Chris and Mike Carpenter, said the Sycamore store was built so they could reach more area customers.

“We feel like we service the campus and the students and the south side of DeKalb really well, but [the store next to Molly’s also at 1022 W. Lincoln Highway] is a little smaller,” Norris said. “We wanted to be a little more accessible on the north side, in Sycamore. We do so many different products, we wanted to be able to offer everyone the opportunity to get over here.”