Since the dawn of Twitter, now of course known as X, along with Facebook, I have very vivid memories of Green Bay Packers fans virtually shouting words at me like, "We live rent-free in your head!"
These are words I cannot deny as a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, and for good reason.
Bears fans hate the Packers. It's an unwritten law. It's the cardinal rule. It is at the top of our commandments. It might as well be religion.
We have to HATE the Packers.
But when the Packers have dominated the Bears for the better part of this century, you get used to celebrating what we might call "mini Super Bowls" every time the Packers lose a playoff game, for example.
I won't shy away from this behavior. In fact, I embrace it. Why shy away from what makes us human? What makes us fans?
This goes right along with how tight end Colston Loveland described the oldest rivalry in football.
On a recent episode of "Bussin' with the Boys," Loveland spoke about his college rivalry, Michigan vs. Ohio State, and immediately compared it to the Bears-Packers rivalry.
"As far as like in the building, 'what are you doing to beat Ohio State?' every day ... that's how it is with the Bears. That's where it was in Michigan, every TV, everything. Everyone's only talking about the Packers ... you can't go a day without talking about them."
Colston Loveland only shed light on what every Bears and Packers fan is slow to admit
On one hand, if you're a Packers fan, you can immediately react to this in a way that says, "See! We are right! We live rent-free in your head every day!"
And you know what? You'd be right.
However, I think there is an unspoken truth that would argue the exact opposite is also true.
Go take a look at some of the more prominent Packers voices, podcasters and writers. Check out their social media. Check out the things they say as fans.
Heck, go check out the pages of many Packers fans, while you're at it.
While they love to take this angle against Bears fans, it logically points the finger right back at them, because, of course, they are concerned with what Bears fans are saying! Of course they're commenting and responding!
Why wouldn't they? This is a rivalry!
I'll say it again.
This. Is. A. Rivalry.
Loveland is only admitting what everybody already knows is true. The Bears think about the Packers. The Packers think about the Bears.
In that same vein, the fans, writers, podcasters and pundits all do too -- because it's only natural. That's part of being the longest-storied rivalry in the history of this game. That's what it calls for.
You think Steelers fans don't think about the Ravens? You think Cowboys fans don't think about the Eagles? We could do this all day long.
Loveland knew, from Day 1, that one of the very first goals as a Chicago Bear is to go out and beat the Green Bay Packers, period. He knows the deal. He gets it. So does every other Bears player, coach, executive and fan. That's how this works.
And guess what? After last season, what do you think Packers fans are thinking all offseason long? Do we think they're marinating on the matchups with the Lions or Vikings?
Maybe a little.
But if every single Packers fan was brutally honest with themselves, they would admit just how much they hated losing to the Bears twice last year, especially in that fashion.
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As they should. That was rough.
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