Justin Fields is not the only one tired of being “almost there”
When I heard the quote by Justin Fields after the Chicago Bears frustrating loss to the Washington Commanders on Thursday, I was not surprised by his words. Fields came out and told reporters that he is tired of being almost there. Well, I have news for him, he’s not alone.
Let me take you on a little journey. A father buys Chicago Bears season tickets back in 1999. He starts taking his son to the games and although the son likes football, he starts to build a passion for not only the game but especially the team. Fast forward a few more years and that same son who developed that passion looks forward to spending as many gamedays watching Bears football with his dad — a game that connects them despite their vast differences in life.
This relationship grew beyond just the game itself. It included draft parties and other special events. It gave the father and son something to talk about almost all year round and this is a good thing because once again, they viewed the world very differently. Despite being very similar in many ways — mannerisms, personality, etc. — they didn’t agree on much.
The two were on opposite sides of almost every political issue. The two disagreed on almost every social construct as well. The one thing they could talk about for hours though was Chicago Bears football. They didn’t even have to agree, but they enjoyed their conversations immensely. Fast forward again and the son is now covering the team in a way that the father never could have imagined. He tells his son how proud he is of the accomplishment and brags to anyone and everyone he knows.
Unfortunately, time is short and the father was taken from this world way too soon. It left a hole in the heart of the son, but he pushes on. He continues to cover the Chicago Bears and even expands his coverage from paper to audio/video. Now, every time he watches the game or talks about the team, he feels that hole fill up a little knowing that he wouldn’t be in the position he is now without his father. Obviously, this story is about me, but it could have been about any Bears fan out there.
That’s the point. Let’s go back to the Justin Fields quote for just a minute.
"We always get told that we’re almost there, almost there. Me personally, I’m tired of being almost there. I’m tired of being this close. I feel like I’ve been hearing it for so long. At the end of the day, all you can do is get back to work.”"
Many fans agree with Justin Fields regarding this Chicago Bears organization
Again, Justin Fields is not alone. Although we are not on the field playing the game, many of us Bears fans truly feel as though we bleed orange and blue. Some of us even refer to the team as “we” — I don’t go that far. As much as Justin Fields is frustrated, most fans have had to endure the feeling of being “almost there” for years — decades even.
As I sit here and think about how I agree with Justin Fields and appreciate his attitude and work ethic, I can’t help but think about my father and how he would be reacting to the team this season. It makes me cry, smile, and laugh all at the same time as I picture the words and comments he’d be making. I am speaking for many fans here as I say Justin Fields isn’t alone. A vast majority of us feel the same way. I know my dad would if he was still with us today. I know I feel that way too.
One day, maybe we can stop hearing it and actually start seeing it.