Only for Guild Members » CHICAGO (AP) — Doug Gottfred stopped to take

a picture of his son White Pat O’Donnell Jerseys , Owen, on their way to Soldier Field. Wearing a No. 29 Tarik Cohen jersey, Owen stood tall while his dad used the city skyline for a postcard-like backdrop.It was the first Chicago Bears game for Owen, who plays linebacker and running back for his flag football team.“Yes, I am super excited,” the 10-year-old said with a grin.The NFL opened its 100th season Thursday night in a city that follows football with a fevered intensity.The league threw a birthday party that included a free fan festival and concert and culminated with one of its biggest rivalries: a 10-3 victory for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers against Khalil Mack and the Bears.The beginning of the regular season comes with the league still dogged by questions about safety and other issues.Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck retired last month at age 29, stripped of his love for the game by years of injuries. Officiating remains a big concern — just ask New Orleans about what happened in the NFC championship against the Los Angeles Rams — and legalized sports gambling is moving into football cities all over the country.But even with those potential storm clouds, nothing captures the attention of U.S. sports fans like the NFL.“There’s nothing like it, in any other sport,” said Bryan Batassa of Kenosha, Wisconsin. “Football, just coming down and seeing everybody together and enjoying the game.”Batassa was deep in enemy territory for Green Bay’s first game. He wore a Packers shirt and hat, and his wife, Sandra, donned a Packers jacket and hat, but they said they had been treated well so far.“Not as much of a fan as my husband here Pat O’Donnell Jerseys 2019 ,” Sandra said. “But it’s always fun to just be part of the crowd and hang out and yell and cheer. It’s always a family event.”In the age of Netflix and other streaming services, NFL games dominate TV ratings every year. Fantasy football has become an annual pastime in homes and offices across the country.While stars such as Tom Brady and Drew Brees are nearing the end of their careers, a promising young crop of quarterbacks that includes NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield appear ready to step into the limelight.The popularity of the NFL was perhaps best illustrated by sports talk radio this summer in Chicago, where the Bears’ situation at kicker — yes, kicker — was a frequent topic of conversation months after Cody Parkey came up empty on a potential game-winning field goal in a playoff loss to Philadelphia.“I like the action, the drama,” said Harry Lutz, a 50-year-old accountant from New Jersey.“I want to see the quarterback leave on crutches,” said his brother, Scott, 45.Harry’s wife, Donna, got him two tickets to the opener as a birthday present. Harry was a Bears fan growing up, watching highlights of Walter Payton, Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers via NFL Films.“The Bears are known for defense, but the game has changed White Sam Acho Jerseys ,” he said. “But I always thought the snot-knocking hits were the best part of the game, not the 2-yard passes.”Harry and Scott stood on the steps of the neighboring Field Museum, taking in Soldier Field like it was one of the great wonders of the world. It was Harry’s first trip to the longtime home of his favorite NFL team.“Gambling, fantasy football, it’s once a week,” Harry said, ticking off what he felt were the reasons behind the league’s success. “Unlike every other sport, it’s once a week, so you plan your weekends around it. Baseball, six days a week, who’s got time? Same thing in basketball and hockey.” The Bard said "This above all: to thine own self be true" and Matt Nagy agrees - "Be you"" The Bears DenNotesXs and OsSuperfansThe Bear’s Den, June 19, 2019New,80commentsThe Bard said “This above all:to thine own self be true” and Matt Nagy agrees - “Be you”CDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:The Bear’s Den, June 19, 2019TwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailHead coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears calls a playPhoto by Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesBEAR DOWN Sam Acho Jerseys 2019 , CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSSZeglinski: Bears, Nagy need to relax on kicking craze – The Rock River Times - One of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is recurring memories of one’s trauma. In addition to upsetting flashbacks, as well as mental and physical reactions to triggering stimuli, someone with PTSD is constantly reliving their trauma with no choice.Stankevitz: Alex Bars is ready to take his shot with Harry Hiestand and the Bears - NBC Sports Chicago - Alex Bars probably would've been a mid-round draft pick if not for a devastating knee injury suffered last September. But the former Notre Dame guard is excited about his opportunity with the Bears -- and Harry Hiestand.Mitchell Trubisky listed at 75/1 odds to win NFL MVP - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears QB Mitch Trubisky is a long shot to win the 2019 NFL MVP award.Javon Wims worked with starters during Bears offseason practices - Bears Wire - Former seventh-round pick Javon Wims played mostly with the starting offense during Chicago Bears offseason practices.Bears known for superstar middle linebackers - ChicagoBears.com - In an excerpt from the Chicago Bears Centennial Scrapbook, co-authors Dan Pompei and Don Pierson detail the franchise’s history of Hall of Fame middle linebackers.Dannehy: Appreciating Josh McCown - Da Bears Blog - Josh McCown announced his retirement yesterday after a 15-year career in which he played for seven teams, including the Bears from 2011-2013, with his final season being the one that extended his career and left fans wondering “what if?” It’s too bad most Bears fans couldn’t appreciate McCown’s time with the Bears.Bear Report Rookie Diary: G Blake Blackmar - 247Sports - We talk with former Baylor offensive lineman Blake Blackmar on life with the Chicago Bears and what he has to do to make the team.Chicago Bears: John Fox showing some salt in his criticism of team - NFL Spin Zone - John Fox critiqued the Chicago Bears offseason and sounded a little salty, saying they had the worst offseason in the NFL.Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 80, Khalil Mack - Chicago Tribune - Before the Bears’ 100th season, the Tribune’s Bears reporters and editors ranked the 100 best players in franchise history. Khalil Mack is No. 80.POLISH SAUSAGERating the offseason for all 32 NFL teams -- Why the Browns are at the top - Did the Browns indeed have the best offseason? Which teams struggled to reach their goals? NFL Nation ranks them and looks toward training camp. Ken’s Note: Apparently ESPN doesn’t get all of their ratings from John Fox.KNOW THINE ENEMYNotes: ESPN says Detroit Lions had one of the best offseasons in the NFL - Pride Of Detroit - ESPN is high on the moves the Lions made last spring.Teryl Austin’s agent accuses Detroit Lions of ‘token’ Rooney Rule interview - Pride Of Detroit - Was Austin simply a Rooney Rule interview?NFL Network shows that it’s time for the season to start already - Daily Norseman - I mean, seriously...Brett Favre’s Instagram account caused quite a stir on Tuesday - Daily Norseman - But, apparently, he was hackedClaiming Michael Roberts continues the Packers’ aggressive pursuit of TEs this offseason - Acme Packing Company - Green Bay has continuously explored multiple avenues to upgrade the tight end competition this offseason.Matthew Stafford played with “broken bones” in back – ProFootballTalk - Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford made the injury report late last season, with a designation of a back injury for the last month of the year. Perhaps because it never kept him off the field, nothing was made of it.IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONThomas: Women’s voices need to be heard in NFL White Sherrick McManis Jerseys , MLB, NBA, and NHL draft coverage - Windy City Gridiron - Some of the talented women (including WCG’s very own Patti Curl) from SB Nation’s team brands weigh in.WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMSWindy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski’s The Blitz NetworkTHE RULESWindy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited.Click on our names to follow us on Twitter:WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter;Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.