FanPost

My First Bears Game

So last night I had the opportunity to attend my first ever Bears game. One of my college buddies has a grandfather who is a season ticket holder, so he graciously gave the two of us the tickets. After spending the weekend in Lake Zurich, we traveled to Soldier Field via a PACE bus. The ride down was pretty uneventful, and traffic wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be.

Once we got into the stadium we went to go get some food. $6.50 for a sandwich...kinda steep but whatever, I just considered it my contribution to the Pay Forte/Bennett movement. We were seated by the 10 yard line on the first level on the west side of the field, so the seats were pretty legit. (we we actually a few rows back from the group of Ditka look alikes) After shooting the bull with some fellow fans, we began to notice that all the Lions fans around us either had absolutely no apparel on or they put it on after they got to their seats. Must be a habit after the paper bags craze.

So finally game time rolled around and Lions got the kickoff and then Peppers forced the first fumble, and the place went nuts. Then Forte scores and it got louder...I finally got to sing Bear Down for the first time somewhere other than a living room... incredible.

I won't bother giving a total game review, since everyone has read or watched it but after every Lions 3 and out and turnover the place was crazy. Then came Hester's punt return... He fumbled it right across from us, then took it up field and proceeded to be ridiculous. Not going to lie, I don't think I've ever high fived so many strangers in my life, and that moment might be one of the greatest moments of my life so far, after the birth of my son and my marriage of course.

At the beginning of the third quarter, after the three and out I turned to the guy next to me and told him that it was no sweat that the offense was stalling, the D was going to get a pick 6 the next drive anyway...and then it happened, and everyone around me went crazy, like I actually expected to be right. After that it was turnover after turnover and 3-outs galore, and the Lions fans around us were getting anxious. Then came Jennings interception.

Once the fracas started the crowd began a heartwarming rendition of "Detroit Sucks" and after the replay of Matthew Stafford's headgrab of DJ Moore the chants started up again, and promptly many of the Lions fans left in disgust. By the end of the 3rd not too many Lions fans were left and many Bears fans left early too. Since we took the bus we waited around, high fived some more random people, tried to get on TV and celebrated the sweet taste of revenge.

We hopped on the bus, got back to the parking lot at 7:48...and discovered that our car had been towed, so we proceeded to drive around Addison to find the impound lot, then made the 3 hour drive back to Platteville and got home around 1:30... I honestly don't think I could have picked a better game to make my first, and my biggest regret is that I wasn't here to celebrate with you guys. If I ever get rich, I'm getting a sky box and inviting you guys so we can all be irrational together. BEAR DOWN!!!

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