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 The
Rams beat our Bears on Sunday, January 18th in a thriller of
overtime. Thus, another year of hoping for the Super Bowl comes to
an end. I’m not even going to pretend I know a lot about football. I
do not. Only one of the five sons was into sports, and I loved (and
still do) experiencing sports through his excitement and loyalty.
It seems to me as if we don’t have the enthusiasm for sports as we
used to. I understand that there are many with season tickets and
innumerable followers who know the stats by heart. It seemed to be
so much more fun “back in the day” for everyone. I think sports have
gotten too expensive, too political, and the players too
egotistical. Let me explain what I mean.
In Super Bowl XX the Bears beat the New England Patriots 46-10. The
head coaches were Mike Ditka and Raymond Berry. In 1985 there was
delight and anticipation from every generation, gender, and groups
around Chicago that were cheering on “Da Bears”. You could get into
the excitement even if you didn’t know what sacks, rushing yards,
blitz, or downs are. The Monsters of the Midway spread excitement
through all kinds of advertisements. My son’s room was papered with
cards, signs and posters that were giveaways from McDonald’s and
other fast-food restaurants. Chicago car dealerships would give away
signed photos of the players if you came in for a test drive. Those
of us south of the city begged and pleaded with our Chicago friends
and family to go take a ride for the coveted portraits. It was all
so much fun. The winner was the one with the most and the best
giveaways. We don’t do that anymore. More’s the pity. It made for
people reaching out to one another. Strangers talking to one another
and generations tearing down the “gap” between them.
Anyone, anywhere in 1985/86 could join in this Bears song, “The
Super Bowl Shuffle.” “We are the Bears Shufflin’ Crew..Shufflin’ on
down, doin’ it for you. We’re so bad we know we’re good. Blowin’
your mind like we knew we would. You know we’re just struttin’ for
fun…Struttin our stuff for everyone. We’re not here to start any
trouble. We’re just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle.”
“Sweetness” Walter Payton, #34 was and will forever by my favorite.
But…bring up any of these names…Willie Gault…Mike Singletary…..Otis
Wilson…Steve Fuller…..Mike Richardson…...Richard Dent…Jim McMahon……
Gary Fencik ……..or William “Fridge” Perry and you will bring Chicago
Bears fans up on their feet reciting memories, stats, and data.
Mike Singletary, “Do you know what my favorite part of the game is?
The opportunity to play.”
It was wonderful. Every man, woman and child could join in one way
or the other on the fun of being a fan. The glimmer climaxed and
gave out after that February 1986 Super Bowl. If you squint, you can
still feel and see the magic of that fabulous ’85 team. Let’s get
back to the opportunity of everyone enjoying professional sports
again.
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How can I talk about Chicago sports teams and not expound on our
beloved Cubbies? I will never forget the excitement of 2016! It was
surreal! Our entire neighborhood was letting off fireworks and
dancing. It. Was. Fabulous.
Although, to tell the truth, it was the 1984 Cubs team that totally
stole my heart. Jody Davis, Ryne Sandberg, Leon Durham, Keith
Moreland, Ron Cey and Rick Sutcliffe will live as legends
forevermore.
How about Steve Goodman’s, “Go Cubs go, go Cubs go…Hey, Chicago,
what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today. Go Cubs go, Go Cubs
go…Hey, Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win
today……Baseball time is here again…you can catch it all on WGN….”
Well, you get the drift.
Again, it was an all-inclusive wonderful summer to be alive.
Everyone was invited to witness this tight knit team led by coach
Jim Frey. We bopped and hopped as this baseball team sang and danced
for us just as we did the Bears.
To sit in Wrigley Field is an honor and a privilege. Again, as in
football, I don’t know all the ins and out of baseball. You cannot
be sitting at Clark and Addison without feeling the power,
anticipation, and turmoil of the love Chicago has for that team.
I must admit, I was a bit sad when the lights went in. It seemed to
lower the magnificence of that ivy covered wall. I will always
regret not getting to be a bleacher bum. That was on my bucket list.
I’ve seen St. Louis Cardinals stadium from the arch and have been by
it but never inside. You, again, can feel sovereignty of the place
by just standing in front of it. Millions of cheers, tears, triumphs
and defeats have made it almost alive. I love this quote by Stan
Musial, “Back in my day, we didn’t think about money as much. We
enjoyed playing the game.”
It seems there are only a select few now that get to follow the
professionals. Hot dogs are $8.00 or $9.00. Beer is $13.00 to $17.00
at Wrigley. Soldier Field offers hot dogs at $11.00 to $13.00. Of
course, this is all after you buy the expensive tickets, pay for the
gas, hand over money to park, and take a vacation day off work.
I grew up listening to Harry Caray with the St. Louis Cardinals and
then switched with him to the Chicago Cubs. Imagine my joy of
singing “Take me out to the ball game” within the Friendly Confines
during the 7th inning stretch. Yes! Harry and me! (and a cast of
thousands.)
“Holy cow! It might be, it could be. It is! A home run!” Words that
make any American’s blood run with pride! Cards, Cubs, White Sox, or
any baseball fan of any team.
“Winners are not people who never fail but people who never quit.”
Chicago Cubs.
“Success isn’t permanent and failure isn’t fatal.” Mike Ditka.
L. Maxine McQueen may be contacted at
maxmac.1@juno.com |
