Sunday, October 2, 1983 is a date that doesn’t hold much historical significance. It was a day like any other day in the 1980s. Total Eclipse of the Heart was number one on the charts, The Big Chill was the top movie at the box office, and a slate of 13 NFL games were being played across the country.
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In Chicago, the Denver Broncos were in town to take on the Chicago Bears. Second-year coach Mike Ditka’s team had sputtered out of the gate, losing three of their first four, but they put together a great effort that day, jumping out to a 24-0 halftime lead. The Broncos were mounting a second half comeback, but Vince Evans found Willie Gault for a 72-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game away and give the Bears a 31-14 victory.
It may not be a significant game in Chicago Bears history, but it was for me- it was the first game I ever attended in person. I can’t say I remember every detail – not many little kids do, but there are still plenty of memories burned in my brain. I remember walking out of the tunnel and seeing the players warming up. I remember enjoying my hot dog sitting next to father that day. I remember expecting Walter Payton to score a touchdown every time he touched the ball. I can’t say I remember Willie Gault’s touchdown, but I do remember the ball in the air before the entire stadium stood up in unison blocking my view as they watched Gault scamper down the sidelines for the score. The entire stadium erupted in joy- fists were pumping, strangers were high-fiving, and that little kid sitting in row 38 was hooked.
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
It was the first of dozens of Bears games I’ve attended in person. It launched a lifelong obsession with the Monsters of the Midway. I’ve been through the highs and the lows (way too many lows) with the franchise the past three decades. I remember being irate they traded a first round pick for Rick Mirer in 1997. I remember buying my David Terrell jersey after the Bears took him in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft (I never said I was always right). But through it all, my support for the team has never wavered.
My obsession with the Bears (and sports in general) has launched me into a sports media career. I’ve been fortunate enough to cover Super Bowls, NFL Drafts, Final Fours, and multiple World Series. I talk about sports every day for a living, there aren’t many jobs better than that.
Over my career, I’ve developed an objective eye for the Bears, but I still want to see them win every Sunday. I want to bring my passion and objectivity to BearGogglesOn and provide fans with the best place on the web for Bears analysis and conversation. There’s no doubt in my mind that Chicago has the best and most passionate sports’ fans in the country and they deserve a fan site worthy of their attention. BearGogglesOn is already a great destination for Bears fans and I’m excited to join the team and take it to new levels!