The Bear’s Den, July 9, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

Western Theme Song Week continues with a couple of classics...

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Roger Goodell, Lori Lightfoot join Bears for new Chicago grocery store project - NBC Sports Chicago - The project is spearheaded by former Bear Sam Acho and the ‘By The Hand’ organization.

Allen Robinson II leads Chicago Bears receiving corps that includes additions Ted Ginn Jr., Darnell Mooney - ChicagoBears.com - Veteran Allen Robinson II returns to lead a deep Bears receiving corps that added speedsters Ted Ginn Jr. and Darnell Mooney to a group that already included Cordarrelle Patterson, Anthony Miller, Javon Wims and Riley Ridley.

Former Chicago Bears LB Sam Acho hosts liquor store demolition party attended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, among others - ChicagoBears.com - A group headed by former Bears linebacker Sam Acho that raised $500,000 to turn a liquor store into a grocery store met at the site on Chicago’s West Side Tuesday.

PFF: Chicago Bears offensive line ranks 22nd in NFL - Bears Wire - There were many issues on the Bears offense in 2020, but the offensive line was a big reason for the struggles.

49ers RB Raheem Mostert wants a trade. Could the Bears be interested? - Bears Wire - Raheem Mostert is looking for a long-term deal, but the 49ers don’t seem willing to give it to him. Perhaps the Bears should consider him.

Former Bears linebacker Sam Acho helping turn West Side liquor store into food mart | WGN-TV - Sam Acho is on mission to make a difference. The former Bears linebacker raised $500,000 to buy Belmonte Cut Rate Liquors on the West Side with the help of Chicago athletes like Mitch Trubisky, Jonathan Toews, Lucas Giolito, Jason Heyward, Diamond DeShields and others. Acho and his group of supporters demolished the building […]

RIP

Former Bears tight end and receiver Earl Thomas dies at 71 - NBC Sports Chicago - Thomas was drafted by Chicago in 1971.

Former Chicago Bears tight end, wide receiver Earl Thomas passes way at age of 71 - ChicagoBears.com - Former Bears tight end and receiver Earl Thomas passed away July 4 in Houston following an illness. He was 71.

Former Bears WR/TE Earl Thomas passes away at 71 - Chicago Sun-Times - He was one of the team’s best receiving threats in 1972 and ‘73. He passed away Saturday.

Former Chicago Bears receiver and tight end Earl Thomas dies - Chicago Tribune - Former Bears wide receiver and tight end Earl Thomas died Saturday in Houston following an illness, the team announced Wednesday. He was 71.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Sam Acho converting Austin liquor store to food mart - Chicago Tribune - NFL linebacker Sam Acho and other local athletes have continued their mission to help Chicago’s Austin neighborhood by buying a liquor store they plan to turn into a grocery store.

COVID-19 pandemic forces Ivy League to cancel all fall 2020 sports - NBC Sports Chicago - It's certainly an ominous sign.

Ravens will limit attendance to less than 14,000 people at home games - ProFootballTalk - The Ravens don’t know if fans will be in the building when they host the Browns in Week One of the 2020 regular season, but they do know they won’t be at full capacity if fans are allowed in M&T Bank Stadium.

Chiefs announce reduced-capacity seating for at least the "first few games" of 2020 - ProFootballTalk - In two months and two days, the Chiefs will launch the defense of their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. If fans are present, the stadium will not be full.

NFL, NFLPA strike deal on team facilities for training camp - ProFootballTalk - The league and the union have reached an agreement on a club facility protocol for training camp; PFT has obtained a copy of the document. It uses the same three-tier approach to access to restricted areas, a concept on which the league’s prior document was based. Teams must submit to the league a list of the proposed designees under each of the three tiers one week before the arrival of players.

Ezekiel Elliott raises $85,000 to feed 400,000 families in need - ProFootballTalk - Ezekiel Elliott uses his trademark “Feed Me” celebration on the field. Off the field, the Cowboys running back is feeding others.

NFL, NFLPA discussing plan for potential player opt-outs in 2020 - NFL.com - Among the lingering questions ahead of an unprecedented season in 2020, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the NFL and NFLPA are discussing a plan for potential players who want to opt-out of this upcoming season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amazon will remove Washington merchandise - ProFootballTalk - The places to buy Washington merchandise are becoming fewer and farther between.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Green Bay: Nobody cares.

Detroit: Nobody cares.

Minnesota: Nobody cares.

WINDY CITY GRIDIRON MADDEN INVITATION

Do you want to do more officially sanctioned WCG Madden stuff? Or just enjoy the game?WCG now has an official Madden Discord server! Feel free to offer suggestions, updates, or anything to help the internet’s best Bears community have the best Madden community as well! Invite link is here.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Sam Acho and several Chicago athletes bring a grocery store to the West Side - Windy City Gridiron - It’s always a good time for some positive news!

Berckes: The Championship Belt Series - Part 5 - Windy City Gridiron - The conclusion of our series that awards the best Chicago Bears player each year throughout the 100 year history

Thomas (featuring Wiltfong): Which NFL team do fans hate most aside from their actual rival? - SBNation.com - Welcome to SB Nation’s Rivalry Week!

THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.

Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; EJ also co-hosts The Bootleg Football Podcast with Brett Kollmann; R. Schmitz has a film breakdown show on YouTube titled Run Pass Opinion; and Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert.

Click on our names to follow us on Twitter: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Bill Zimmerman; Jack R Salo Like us on Facebook.