Thursday marked 10 years since my graduation from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and I’d be lying to you if I said I haven’t spent the last few days feeling nostalgic and thinking back to some good times from back in the day.
But those thoughts have since led me to be more reflective of who I am now. It’s complicated, but neat. Much has changed over the last 10 years, but I’m happy with where I am today. And to think, that journey began 10 years ago.
Last night’s Chuckstrong Gala netted over $1,860,000—that’s NET—- for Indy’s IU-Simon Cancer Center. Big thanks to George McCaskey and the @ChicagoBears contingent for traveling down to support the event.
WRTV-6 in Indianapolis reports the ChuckStrong Tailgate Gala hosted by Chuck Pagano at the Colts’ facility raised more than $1.8 million for cancer research at the Indiana University Cancer Center. Pagano, who was the Colts’ head coach from 2012-17, was diagnosed with leukemia back in 2012 when he was starting his head-coaching career in Indy. And despite being fired after the 2017 season, he has kept his ChuckStrong event rolling. More than $7 million has been raised in the seven years this event has occurred. Keep up the good work, everyone. You’re doing great.
That Pagano and the Colts still host the event, even though it will have been two seasons since he was fired means a lot in the grand scheme of things. There is still good in this world and there are still people working together to help others in need. It’s heart-warming to read that this continues to be a thing, even if the two sides have parted ways. Let this be a reminder to all of us that we can continue to do good things for one another.
I was moved by this quote from Pagano in this Peter King piece: “I’m not bitter. I’m better. Jim Irsay and I have a relationship for life. I love Jim Irsay. I love the organization. At some point coaches have to say goodbye to teams, and teams have to say good bye to coaches. If you win, you keep your job, and if not, they move in a different direction. I never took it personal.” That is a strong statement. Again, some things are bigger than football.
As for what’s next on Pagano’s plate, he gets the opportunity to coach a Bears defense that features three first-team All-Pros. Clearly, it’s something he is looking forward to this coming season. “And now I get to coach with one of the great franchises in sports, the Chicago Bears,” Pagano told king. “I’ve died and go to heaven.” Right in the feels, coach.
One of the best deep-ball receivers in football also grades highly when it comes to the short-game:
Tying with Tyler Boyd, Allen Robinson finished with the 8th-highest receiving grade on short passes last season (1-9 yards past L.O.S.) pic.twitter.com/mxZ58X0sok
Mitch Trubisky was one of football’s best short-range passers last season, so it’s no surprise that his top target on the outside was as highly-graded as Robinson was in 2018. Robinson didn’t snag 100 catches of rack up 1,000 receiving yards, but he clicked with Trubisky immediately last season. And now that he doesn’t have to worry about rehabilitation, his focus can solely be on maximizing things on the football field. Go get ’em, #12. last this heaven? Nah. But it’s close.
Every Robinson catch from the Bears’ Wild-Card game is everything you need to get hyped about what he can do in 2019:
Hey, wait a minute! There’s a team missing here and I’m not digging that:
This is what it looks like when a training camp spot is on the line:
“Right in the front yard!” The man who shot this video of two very large bears fighting outside his New Jersey home made the wise decision and decided to stop filming and go inside. https://t.co/h3l0t3hQzhpic.twitter.com/m23WRQQDYN
Jordan Mills was a fifth-round pick (163rd overall) in 2013 and a two-year starter at right tackle during the forgettable Marc Trestman years. Since leaving, Mills has continued to get work and cash paychecks. He has spent the last three years as a starting tackle on the Bills, starting in 48 straight games. Good luck to the ex-Bears starter as his career continues in Miami.
Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.
The winds of change are howling through Halas Hall. After years (decades) of searching, the Chicago Bears appear set to finally land their franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams, with the top overall pick. This signals a new era for the Bears, but the...
The Chicago Cubs finished a winning road trip with a series win against the defending NL champs. Taylor Swift has a new album that drops at 11 p.m. CT. And the Chicago Bears will usher in a new quarterback era...
Only one week remains until the biggest event of the NFL offseason — the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams is going first overall unless something totally unexpected happens. But outside of that, there are still so many questions left to...
I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...
For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...
The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...
Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...
Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....
'Tis the season for dot-connecting. And if you are a Chicago Bears fan, you might want to keep tabs on what is happening between your favorite team's current first and ninth picks. ESPN's Adam Schefter names the Arizona Cardinals and...
The MMQB's Albert Breer shares an anecdote about the Washington Commanders pre-draft process. Washington, which holds the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is hosting a bunch of quarterbacks for top-30 visits this week. Together. In the same place....
Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2024 NFL Draft in a familiar position – contenders with a need to retool. Baker Mayfield solidified the quarterback position sans Tom Bracy, and while the Bucs boast a talented roster, key departures and...
New England Patriots 3-Round Mock Draft - The curtain has closed on the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era in New England. The Patriots, once a dynasty of consistency, now find themselves at a crossroads. With the number three pick in the 2024 NFL Draft,...
The Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) will look to Joc Pederson, with homers in two straight games, to pull off an upset win over the San Francisco Giants (8-11) Thursday at Oracle Park. The Giants are -149 moneyline favorites for the game,...
If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...
The pressure is on for the New York Jets. With the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team faces a crucial decision that could define their future. Years of rebuilding have yielded progress, but the playoffs remain...
Las Vegas Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft - It's a new era in Las Vegas, and while they still have questions surrounding the most important position on the team, there's a lot of discussion about what the Raiders will do with their first-round selection....
The San Francisco Giants (8-11) host the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Thursday to kick off a four-game series at Oracle Park. The matchup starts at 9:45 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Giants will send Logan Webb...
Hey Blackhawks fans! Wanna see playoff hockey with some players who might be part of the future in Chicago? The IceHogs are heading to the Calder Cup Playoffs, and some tickets go on sale Friday morning! The final schedule for...
Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...
NEWSLETTER
