It’s been a rough year; I think I have established that already. The Bears delivered us a horrible season. A season full of expectations, including the promise of a 4-2 start, that continued with 10 consecutive losses heading into the final game of the year. What better way to end this season then to travel to Green Bay and find the 13th different way to lose a game; I guess we already had it covered…
The Bears beat the Packers. Writing those words makes me beyond happy. Why do I care? The Bears still suck. The Packers are still going to the playoffs. What does it matter? These are all things I’ve heard. Let me tell you why it DOES matter. First off, the Bears had lost 10 games in a row; losing one more game doesn’t seem to make a difference, but… winning a game to end this season, giving us a little positive mojo as we look ahead to a critical offseason, yeah, it DOES matter. Secondly, this isn’t just anybody we were playing. Back in the 90s, when the Bears sucked and the Packers kicked our ass regularly (some things haven’t changed… yet), a successful season was considered 2-14, as long as the two wins were against the Packers. Everybody knows the oldest rivalry in football, but it’s more than that. They are in our conference, in our division. Reaching our goals would be bolstered by beating the Packers, plus I F-ing hate the Packers, with a passion. Do you think I cried when Watson went down? Do you think I’m worried about Love’s hand? Injuries happen in football; that’s part of the game. What’s not part of the game is when you slam someone, Jim McMahon, to the turf 10 seconds after the play is over. What’s not part of the game is when you run somebody, not just anybody, Walter Payton, over tables 10 yards into the sidelines. What’s not part of the game is flying in after the play was over and cheap shot somebody, Matt Suhey, just standing there. Who said I don’t hold grudges? This was part of the fabric of my childhood; it is burned into my memory, these feelings live permanently in my heart. I hate the Packers and I’m not ashamed to say it. Finally, beating the Packers helped send them to Philadelphia next week in the playoffs, where hopefully, the season can come to a close, with the elimination of the Packers from contention. So yeah, it DOES mean something.
Back to our own house, it gives us hope, in a season where our souls have been crushed. It helps us, gives us something to hold on to, besides the obvious silver lining of Caleb Williams. I’m not nominating him a future HOFer or anything, but, and maybe I should whisper this, just maybe we have our QB; now how about a coach? A change in culture? Learning to win? I’m just asking for basic things any franchise should have in order to be successful. If we can check one thing off that list, the most important position in pro sports, maybe this horrific season was all worth it. Do you know he started every single game, while getting sacked more than anybody else, for the first time since 2009 for the Bears? There are other pretty cool stats to throw out there, comparisons to other rookie QBs both current and past, but… this is something I think. Using this win as a springboard into future success is something my mind likes to think about, so again, yeah, it DOES mean something.
And as I watched Cairo Santos make the game winning FG, I extended my middle finger at the phone, telling the yellow and green team to F off. Man… I was so happy. Walking into the gym to watch my son play a basketball game, I saw someone with a Packers hoodie on. Of course I had my Bears hat and hoodie on; had it on all day, BEFORE the Bears won. I looked at him; we didn’t know each other. And I just gave him a big ol’ smile. He looked around; I kept looking at him smiling. He was probably like wtf is up with this guy. Beating your team’s ass is what’s up with me. Bear TF Down!
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