Jump Off The Cliff

Sunday is a big day for Bears fans. For the first time in 19 years, the Monsters of the Midway, the "pride and joy of Illinois" are playing for the NFC Championship. Everyone knows what the next step would be, so I'm not going to jinx it by mentioning it. The team has gone 14-3 this season, so you'd think that the fans and the city would be going completely nuts, That's what you'd think, but there's a surprising calm shrouding the city of big shoulders.

Like a girl who has had her heart crushed by one too many lotharios, Bears fans are being a little hesitant about giving their hearts over to this team. We were all flushed with excitement when the season started. "This is the year", was the refrain at the stadium, in bars and on the radio. The Bears started the season on fire, and then something happened. They went from an invincible force to a regular team. That's when people started getting that little tingle in their intestines. "Oh no, here we go again." The diehards always believed, but the rest of us went into "cautiously optimistic" mode. We hoped the Bears would keep winning, but we were too afraid to give ourselves over. Chicago fans have spent too many years sitting at home waiting for the championship phone to ring. I even gave into the mind set a little. Last week as you may remember, I passed on a ticket to the game. I didn't think the Bears would lose, I just figured I'd watch the game in comfort, then if the worst happened, I'd be in a warm and cozy place to deal with my grief.

Not this week! I've decided to give myself over to the frenzy. I've got full blown Bears fever and it's making me a little woozy. I've spent the week talking to people about the game, thinking about the game and finally, scoring a ticket for the game. Sleep be damned. This is the team I support, and if they hurt me again, oh well, there's always the White Sox. I've come to the realization that it's better to have your hopes dashed on the rocks than to never hope at all. If you're a fan of a team, you need to get off the fence and root for them all out. I've heard stories about people who are willing to do just about anything to get tickets for the game. That's the kind of dedication I'm looking for.

So I'm gearing up. The forecast calls for snow and cold temps. They say that's Bears weather. I hope so, because it sure isn't Brian weather. I may have the fever, but I won't be the guy with his shirt off, giant belly painted orange and blue, dancing in the aisle. I'll leave that to my brothers. What I will be doing is watching my team and opening myself up to the joy or pain that it might bring me. Go Bears! Have a great weekend and if you're up listen to the big show on WGN, Saturday night/Sunday morning from 1-5 am. Later...Brian