FanPost

Full Circle


Life is funny sometimes. Not necessarily in a humorous way, but in a curious kind of way.

Like when you miss out on a date with the hot chick, only to fall in love with her smarter, even hotter, friend.

Everything happens for a reason, right?

In 2004; a soft spoken, yet stern voiced former defensive coordinator took the podium at Halas Hall to accept the responsibility to lead the oldest, most famed franchise in professional football, the Chicago Bears.

After endearing years of looking up to division rival Green Bay in the standings, Bears new coach Lovie Smith knew what goal number one had to be.

"Beat the Packers"

Who knew seven years later, Lovie’s words would almost be his defining moment.

If the Packers stood in the way of the ’06 Super Bowl team, it might have been a little different. Smith was coming off of a division title and was expected to make a run in the playoffs.

But not this year. Many were surprised that Lovie was even still around when this season started. Many wanted a losing record so that Smith could move on. However, Lovie assembled his coaching arsenal and now stands 60 minutes from a trip Dallas.

Lovie’s Bears teams have stood behind their embattled coach, tallying an 8-6 record against Green Bay since Smith took over. That record will mean nothing on Sunday.

The Bears need to be 1-0 against the Packers in the playoffs under Smith. That’s what will matter.

So in a few days, the two oldest rivals in the NFL will play for the right to hoist the trophies named after their legendary coaches.

That is a story line all in itself.

Life sure can be funny sometimes. But I don’t think anyone is laughing.

This Fanpost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.