Conversion to Bears Fanhood
by juperee on Apr 25, 2009 12:02 AM CDT
29 comments
I was a Colts fan for years. I hooked up with a Bears fan (now my husband) in 2006, the season leading up to Superbowl XLI.
He has been a Bears fan since his earliest childhood memories growing up in Illinois, whereas I have been a Colts fan only since 1999, when I returned to the US after a brief stint in football-less Sweden.
My Dear Hub has gently coaxed, invited, bribed, and otherwise attempted to convert me to Bears Fanhood for all the years I've known him, including the pre-dating acquaintanceship of 2004 to when we started dating in 2006. I was alsways happy to root for the Bears when the Colts weren't playing them, but I felt that true conversion would take its own time, like changing church denomination when marrying. Since upon marriage I also assumed the role of Stepmom to his sons, I have dutifully steeped myself in Bears history and paraphernalia for the good of all. Little did I know that the rich history of the Bears, good and bad, would grip me as it did.
This morning I had a dream. I dreamed I was at a shopping mall and passed by a Colts mascot who was waving at passersby. I waved back and smiled, pointing at my jersey, which I assumed (in my dream) was a Colts jersey. To my surprise, the Colts mascot exclaimed, friendly like, "Oh, you're a Bears fan!" I looked down at my attire, and sure enough I was wearing a Bears jersey. I realized, in my dream, that I was proud and happy to be a Bears fan, and that I couldn't wait to tell MDH that I was now not only an official Bears fan and filled with warm pride about it, but that the transition had been blessed by a smiling Colts mascot.
I excitedly called my dear hub to tell him about the dream, and he actually teared up a little. So did I.
Now that I am a ready and willing Bears fan convert, are there any special rituals I need to go through? Does anyone else have advice on loyalty shifting in the NFL?
Your anecdotes, philosophy, and advice are appreciated!!
PS: if you know anyone who wants an odd lot of Colts paraphernaila, I have a bunch available!!
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Being a Bears fan
is a lot like belonging to a religion. Only it is more fun and has less rules. The rules we do have are strict though. Everyday at 4:30PM (ten minutes after the time Father Halas started inventing the game), you have to stand, with your chin up, facing Wisconsin, raise your middle finger, and say Green Bay sucks. Immediately following this, do the same thing facing Minnesota and substitute Viqueens for Green Bay.
Oh, we always show respect to the 85 Bears, also known as the prophets or 46 horsemen, and Mike Ditka is the pope.
Everything else is negotiable and meant to be for fun.
Good luck and always nice to have another Bears fan.
by Fridge72 on Apr 25, 2009 12:16 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
We live in Minneapolis
..so when I do the daily “salute” to the Viqueens I will turn and face the Metrodome, to narrow it down a bit.
May the wind be always at your back, and may your placekicker have icewater in his veins.
by juperee on Apr 25, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That'll probably work,
might want to shield your eyes so they don’t burn or anything. Should I assume that you are up there doing football missionary work or are you a spy? Just read your SB profile, that’ll be a great cover.
Minneapolis is a great city. I’ve been there a few times and always enjoyed it.
by Fridge72 on Apr 25, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, neither of us are Minnesota natives
I’m an Okie, here since 1999 for the job, and hub is from Illinois, here since 1989 for reasons he can’t quite recall, except that it was Halloween and he might have been possessed*. It is kinda cool being in an NFC North town though.
- actually, that was for a job too, but it’s too long a story, and since he’s Italian-American from Illinois, I don’t ask…
May the wind be always at your back, and may your placekicker have icewater in his veins.
by juperee on Apr 25, 2009 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
good for u!!!!
i also am a chitown native who did a stint in minnie…. i call it that cuz it sure felt like a prison to me… with that being said, it seems like you already have the gritty and sarcastic sense of humor that goes along with being from the greatest sports city in the world!!! now, as far as your indy gear goes? i’m sure that after the heartbreaking superbowl loss(i cried for about a month), the only reasonable option you have is to burn it at the stake!!!!
by windycity72 on Apr 27, 2009 3:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
DITKA
when you say the word Ditka in a conversation or even in your thoughts you should always bow your head. Also if the name Halas should crop up as it does often, you should use this reverently, ie make the sign of the cross.The 85 bears players are to be treated as prophets ,as these players spread the word of dominating offense and 4-6 defence.Buddy Ryan and his offsprings (sons) should also be honoured.Soldier field is a special place to be attended whenever possible, with season ticket clutched safely like a blessed prayer book.
by stepeo on Apr 25, 2009 1:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
From Peyton to Payton...
…one is a rather good quarterback, the other was Sweetness itself. Amen.
by Spongie on Apr 25, 2009 2:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Are you sure ifuwannacrownem isn't your husband?
Cause I think he had a crazy Bears dream awhile back.
I couldn’t find the post but if it’s wasn’t you with the crazy Sweetness and the hogging the toilet dream, I apologize ifuwannacrownem.
P.S. Welcome, it is a good time to be a Bears fan. BEAR DOWN!!!
If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms.- Mike Ditka
by Hurricanes becoming Bears on Apr 25, 2009 3:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
A chick dreaming about the Bears?
I wish I was her husband.
Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!
by ifuwannacrownem on Apr 25, 2009 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And dude
everbody else calls me Ifuwanna for short :)
Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!
by ifuwannacrownem on Apr 25, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha
Yeah, it was a copy and paste.
If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms.- Mike Ditka
by Hurricanes becoming Bears on Apr 25, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ah ok
Thought I would save you the trouble of writing two more syllables.
Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!
by ifuwannacrownem on Apr 25, 2009 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
All you have to know is...
Packers are “Fudge Packers” Vikings are “Viqueens” Lions well…just suck. Anyone you know or meet from Wisconsin gets joked upon, regardless of what team they root for.
Sweetness is greatest running back that ever lived, 85 bears is greatest team that ever lived, Ditka is greatest Coach that ever lived….hmm what else. And you must have at least one Orange alternate home jersey (preferrable QB or Hester) speaking of jerseys…no other jersey from any other player or team besides Bears is permitted..specially cowboys. Thats about it.
Welcome to the Den!
by Chitownproduct on Apr 25, 2009 7:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What's with the hate towards Wisconsin
Hate the Packers all you want, but remember the Bears have connection to Wisconsin.
The Bears used to have training camp in Wisconsin and Kenosha has a high number of Bears fans.
by Looney_Bucky on Apr 25, 2009 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will always be grateful to Wisconsin
…for their beer and cheese curds (and maybe brauts), but I don’t have to suppress my visceral dislike of Packers wins. I really enjoy watching Bears v Packs games, because that’s a real rivalry, with really deep roots.
When the Bears play the Vikes, it’s more of an annoying gnat-swat kind of situation.
May the wind be always at your back, and may your placekicker have icewater in his veins.
by juperee on Apr 25, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the warm welcome!
Now all i have to do is update my SBNation profile.
See you around!
May the wind be always at your back, and may your placekicker have icewater in his veins.
by juperee on Apr 25, 2009 9:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Everyone has really...
given you great advice. I will just add that the MLB position in Chicago must be secured by a future Hall of Famer at all times. Other than that , welcome.
by rdent4hof on Apr 25, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wonderful!
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Apr 25, 2009 9:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah...
We finally have a QB!
Awww, man what am I supposed to do about my sig now?
by scespy12 on Apr 25, 2009 9:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Know your history
Everybody knows about the 85 Bears, but don’t forget about our other 8 championships and the countless great players we have had since Red Grange.
Also memorize the Bears fight song.
by Looney_Bucky on Apr 25, 2009 6:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No prob there!
I have been singing “Bear Down” for 3 years. As a good wife and faithful stepmom, I have done everything to train the little ones up in the way that they should go (“and they shall not depart from it forever”). I have made a number of Chicago Bears Christmas ornaments and stockings, and I even wrapped the entire Christmas booty of 2006 in orange and midnight blue, rather than the traditional santa & snowman fare, given that the Bears were on a roll.
In fact, I have been intellectually ready for conversion for a while, but I knew that the emotional, spiritual connection had to come in its own time—and it finally did! I was wary to embrace fanhood merely on behalf of my beloved significant other, so I waited until I actually felt the core draw to the team, win or lose.
I know it sounds corny, but I wanted to wait til it was REAL. That’s how much I love football. I had to wait til I was worthy of the Bears, not the other way around.
May the wind be always at your back, and may your placekicker have icewater in his veins.
by juperee on Apr 25, 2009 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that's great.
My significant other, GG, is on here as well, and he led me into “Beardom.” I always watched them with him, and tried to learn, but I never considered myself a fan until I cared and wanted them to win on my own. Now I watch them and yell at my TV even if he’ s not around. :) So, your explanation doesn’t sound corny at all, I know exactly how you feel! :)
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
by HoneyBear on Apr 26, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sweet! Thanks for sharing
Good to know I’m not the only one!
May the wind be always at your back, and may your placekicker have icewater in his veins.
by juperee on Apr 26, 2009 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
There is something very special about these Bears of ours.
And there is something very special taking place. I firmly believe that the Bears are Da Lords team. And I firmly believe that George Halas and Da Lord have a very special relationship. I believe that it is George Halas that is interceding on the Bears behalf and God is responding by granting His faithful servants requests. Da Lord knows that the Bears were Papa Bears whole life and how important that the Bears are to him.
The Bears are more than just a football team. The Bears are a way of life, we live and die for the Bears, they are as much a part of us as any family member or friend. I believe in loyalty, I will always stay loyal to the bears, no matter what, I would never switch teams. But understand that loyalty is something ingrained in me from being a Bear fan. Our history goes all the way back to the beginning. I hold nothing against you for switching teams because you didn’t know the truth, but now you do know the truth, and the truth has set you free.
Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.
by Haightminow on Apr 26, 2009 9:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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