Former Bear Hall enjoys his best day

Being a former Bear is sometimes like being a rock star. It's not always glamorous, however.

Take Denver Broncos running back Andre Hall, who probably even most die-hard Bears fans don't realize is an ex-Bear.

Hall spent about a month with the Bears in training camp before last season. On Sunday, the third-stringer rushed for a game-high 98 yards in the Bears' 37-34 overtime victory.

"I was on tour seven weeks straight (after being released by the Bears)," Hall said with a humble smile. "I'll never forget that."

Hall enjoyed his best game as a pro Sunday. He carried the football 26 times, and his 65-yard reception on a short toss from quarterback Jay Cutler late in the first half resulted in a field goal.

Chicago Bears: 37 | Denver Broncos: 34 Stories Gould FG caps Bears comeback win Berrian's catch tougher than it looked Hester special, indeed Ankle injury knocks Benson out of game Mike Imrem: Now, Bears at least dead men walking Bumpy ride for defense How they scored Bears grades Sauerbrun: Just an extremely bad day Former Bear Hall enjoys his best day as a pro Multimedia Photo gallery

An undrafted free agent out of South Florida, Hall was pressed into action Sunday because running backs Travis Henry, Paul Smith and Selvin Young were out with injuries.

He got off to a tough start, rolling his ankle on the first play of the game.

That didn't stop him.

He had 102 rushing yards through three quarters, averaging 4.9 yards, before the Bears finally started stopping him and his achy ankle finally forced him to the sideline.

"(The ankle) started getting worse and worse, but I knew the team needed me, so I had to stick it out," Hall said. "Cecil Sapp (starting fullback) was there with me the whole time, pushing me through -- he and Selvin Young."

And Broncos coach Mike Shanahan.

"He was tough enough to work through it," Shanahan said. "One of the reasons why he wasn't in there at the end was because he couldn't go any further. But a credit to him to play as hard as he did throughout the game.

"He could hardly walk on that sideline, so it gives you a little idea of his toughness."

Funny how things work out; with the injury to Cedric Benson the Bears could seemingly use a dependable running back.

Now why was it the Bears released him in the first place?

"The numbers, man," Hall said. "That's what they say. But it doesn't matter. I'm here now and I'm happy."