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Bearman Don Wachter Named Hall Of Fans Finalist

Bearman wins all-expense paid ticket to the Super Bowl as one of three finalists for the Ford Hall Of Fans

By Ken Mitchell
Seattle Seahawks v Chicago Bears
“Bearman” Don Wachter watches the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on September 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Seattle Seahawks 24-17.
Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images

While the Chicago Bears may not be going to the Super Bowl, Bears superfan Don “Bearman” Wachter is, courtesy of being named a finalist for the Ford Hall Of Fans competition.

The overall winner will be enshrined in the Hall Of Fans exhibit in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio in August.

Wachter sent out a video to his supporters sharing the good news. “I’ve been selected as one of three finalists for the Ford Hall Of Fans,” he stated. “I’m so excited, I’m so pumped! So now I’m packing my bags to go down to Atlanta for Super Bowl 53.”

“I’m embarking on this incredible journey because of you, Bear Nation, who gave me the support,” he continued. “The people at Ford have been telling me that the voting came in stronger than expected, and they also said ‘you, Bearman, did very, very well in the voting’.”

“With that, I want to say thank you so much Bears Nation,” he said.

Wachter announced that he would be featured later today, Tuesday, January 29, on WLS ABC7 at 4:30 PM in a video about being selected.

Cleveland Browns v Chicago Bears
Bearman Don Wachter and fellow Bears fans watch the game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago.
Photo by David Banks/Getty Images

The Plainfield, Illinois resident’s face and image has been all over television, print and online media since the 1990’s.

Wachter’s nomination to the Hall Of Fans was announced to him by Bears Hall Of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, who showed up at Wachter’s door wearing his gold Hall Of Fame jacket.

A total of six semi-finalists each received a visit from a Hall Of Fame player from their respective teams to inform them that they were finalists.

Three of the six including Wachter were chosen to continue on to the Super Bowl in Atlanta for an all-expense paid trip to the game and to enjoy the week’s festivities leading up to the announcement of the overall winner and inaugural Hall Of Fans inductee.

According to Wachter, fan voting was only one-third of the deciding factor, the nominees were also reviewed by a team chosen by the Ford Motor Company and the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.

Wachter will be sharing video updates of his trip on social media.

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