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CHICAGO (AP) — Doug Gottfred stopped to take a picture of his son David Montgomery Jersey , 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 Dion Sims Jersey , 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,” 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 https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Jim-Mcmahon-Jersey ,” 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,” 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 Walter Payton Color Rush Jersey , 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.” And then there were two...The Chicago Bears have announced that they have released placekicker Chris Blewitt, which leaves only kickers Elliott Fry and Eddy Pineiro around for next month’s..." Latest NewsNewsChris Blewitt blew it, released by BearsNew,94commentsCDTAnd then there were two...The Chicago Bears have announced that they have released placekicker Chris Blewitt, which leaves only kickers Elliott Fry and Eddy Pineiro around for next month’s training camp next month. At yesterday’s OTA practice, all three kickers missed 42 yard field goals Gale Sayers Jersey , and since the kicking competition started not one kicker has really stood out to the beat writers that have been in attendance. Blewitt is just the latest kicker to have come and gone this offseason as the Bears try to find a suitable replacement after getting rid of Cody Parkey. Well, technically, the Bears are still trying to find a suitable kicking replacement after cutting Robbie Gould before the 2016 season. After this latest OTA session ends, the Bears will have five weeks off before reconvening in Bourbonnais for camp. That’s a lot of time for general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy to contemplate their kicking options for the 2019 season. The aforementioned Gould is ready, willing and able to return to the Bears, but that would require a deal with his current employer, the San Francisco 49ers. Veteran Matt Bryant is still out there looking for work, as are a host of UDFA kickers just champing at the bit for a chance in Chicago.