Chicago sent veteran safety Richie Petitbon to Los Angeles…
Chicago sent veteran safety Richie Petitbon to Los Angeles for cornerback Lee Calland, a 1970 fourth-round pick used on Ross Brupbacher, and a 1971 third-round pick used on Bob Newton. Petitbon remained a capable starter for two Rams seasons, but Chicago recovered a player plus two meaningful selections for a 31-year-old defender. That return gives the Bears the stronger overall value.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Lee Calland
- pick 1970 fourth round pick (#100-Ross Brupbacher)
- pick 1971 third round pick (#71-Bob Newton (b))
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Richie Petitbon
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
On May 17, 1969, Chicago traded veteran safety Richie Petitbon to the Los Angeles Rams. The Bears received cornerback Lee Calland, a 1970 fourth-round selection that became Ross Brupbacher, and a 1971 third-round selection that became Bob Newton. Chicago’s own historical trade log and the draft transaction record agree on the date and the three-part return, while Petitbon’s career record confirms the move to Los Angeles.
What Chicago Got
The Bears converted a 31-year-old defensive back into a younger player and two useful draft choices. Calland provided immediate roster value, and the two picks gave Chicago additional chances to replenish a team that was beginning to turn over from its 1960s core. Neither Brupbacher nor Newton became a franchise-changing star, but the package spread Chicago’s value across three assets rather than one aging veteran. That matters when judging a trade whose centerpiece had already played ten seasons.
What Los Angeles Got
Petitbon was still productive. He started 12 games in 1969, intercepted five passes, and started all 14 games in 1970. Those two seasons gave George Allen an experienced safety he trusted, so the Rams did receive real short-term help. The limitation is duration: Petitbon spent only two seasons with Los Angeles before being traded again in 1971. The Rams therefore paid a player and two draft choices for a useful but relatively brief run.
Final Verdict
Chicago gets the better grade because it extracted multiple assets for a veteran near the back end of his career. Los Angeles received competent starting play, so this was not a bad acquisition, but the cost was heavier than the length of Petitbon’s Rams tenure ultimately justified. The Bears’ B+ reflects the breadth of the return, while the Rams’ C recognizes two productive seasons without enough longevity to balance the package surrendered.