Chicago Bears: Governor Pritzker weighs in on starting the season

The Governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker was asked if he thought the Chicago Bears would be opening the season on time with fans in the stadium. He did not seem too convinced that we can make that prediction as of now.

The Chicago Bears are in the same boat as all NFL teams across America right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken our lives to the core. We find ourselves truly looking into what matters in our daily lives. Although we are all missing sports, the health and safety of players and fans is more important than our entertainment needs.

Over the weekend, Donald Trump reached out to multiple sports commissioners and reportedly told them he believes the NFL will start on time. Yesterday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker was asked if he thought the Chicago Bears would be starting the season on time. He was also asked if he thought fans would be in the seats or if the team would be playing in an empty stadium.

Pritzker did not give a definitive answer and brought more uncertainty to the season kicking off in September as scheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pritzker went on to say…

"“Well, the Bears are a great team whether they’re playing or not, but I will say this, it’s not up to us.” “We don’t know. None of us really knows. But what I do know is this; if the researchers are able to come up with a treatment, something that will save lives, something that will keep people off ventilators, maybe even keep them out of hospitals, then that will be an enormous development for our country and for the future. It may allow us to open things up in the way the President is describing. But the truth is that no one predicts now that we’re going to have that treatment any time in the next few weeks or even in the next month, and no one really knows if we’ll have it by September.”"

Essentially, Pritzker took the political way out, but can you blame him? We truly do not know what life is going to be like in a few months. I am no doctor and I am not here to try and sway you in any direction. The hope is that the President is right and we are going to be back to normal come the start of the 2020 NFL regular season.

What I can tell you is that this entire situation is unprecedented in my and your lifetimes. I am curious how the virtual draft will take place. It sounds like there will be behind the camera views into war rooms still. It sounds like player reactions will still take place. The draft may feel different, but it should come out looking very similar in the end. Let us just hope Ryan Pace finds a way to hit on every pick this year. I expect the offseason and regular season to feel the same way in the end.

As of now, let us remember many things can change between now and August. Let us be optimistic and hope that doctors and scientists find a way to knock this virus out. Until then, be precautious and stay safe. Bear Down everyone.