I’ve posted and commented on this topic several times so I apologize, but you all are my only outlet. I was extremely close to my father and he passed suddenly after a quick illness this past year. I live on the East Coast so the last thing we were able to do together was go to the Fail Mary game. It was actually funny because after the Bears went up at the end my 10 yo son was dancing around saying it was the best day of his life, and my dad told him “you’re a Bears fan, you need to realize the game isn’t over yet”… Hail Mary happened a minute later. We were devastated but found a way to laugh and despair about it, and next thing I know he’s dead. It shook me to my foundation and almost ruined my Bears fandom. In some capacity or another I watched every single Bears game with him in my all of my 44 years. Even when I was in Afghanistan I would call home during every game. Anyway, when he died I almost gave up on the Bears, but the opposite eventually happened and I dove in and became more obsessed than I usually am, which is saying a lot. This game was my Super Bowl, but I never wanted to go to that stadium again in my life. After the Raiders game I had a moment and decided to buy a solo ticket and be there by myself to face my demons. I’m not religious but half of my brain wouldn’t escape a thought of my dad “won’t let us lose.” The entire game I was a wreck but confident, and then entered into despair when it looked like they were going to ice the game. When the fumble happened I started shaking uncontrollably. As they lined up for the field goal I literally have never felt so charged up in my life (this video is the guy behind me. I had him air drop it to me. I’m the guy bobbing back and forth in the yellow rain jacket). When it went in I kept asking if we won because I literally couldn’t comprehend what happened. I never cried after my dad died which is odd because I’m a pretty emotional person, but when I got back to my car I balled my eyes out and I’ve been crying ever since. I needed that win to get this grief out, and who knows, maybe dad got a hand in there on that handoff exchange. His name was Bill by the way.

Not looking for internet points. Just trying to get things off my chest, so thanks to anyone who reads.

View of the Moody FG on my night alone after the passing and of my dad.
byu/Jack_Aubrey1981 inCHIBears

44 comments

  4. This is beautiful, brother!

    My dad recently passed too. The last game we saw together was a freezing-ass Thursday Night game against the Saints. Low and behold, we play them this week. I won’t be in Chicago for it, but I will be wearing my knock-off Sweetness jersey watching it from the couch thinking about my old man.

    Cheers! Glad we get the Commies back for your old man. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was an extra blocker out there keeping Payne away from that one.

  5. I’m not religious either, but when ever you find yourself alone, talk to him. Out loud. I’m sorry for your loss, and your pain. You sound like you really loved and honor him, and that tells me he was a good man.

  7. Hell yeah

    My brother passed last year. His last Bears analysis was (this is when we were 3-2) “no man we suck”. The fail Mary happened the weekend after

    He wanted two things for the Bears: Ben Johnson and Luther Burden. Guys pulling strings I swear

  11. I’m sure he’s up there watching. God bless you and your family through all of this.

  14. I’m sorry for your loss my friend. My 20 year old son and I have been following the bears since he was born, and since I was 10 years old (50 years old this year.) It’s a bond that I treasure immensely, regardless of the team’s results. I’m grateful for all the memories they’ve given us – the highs and the lows. I imagined my son typing a message like the one you are.

    Praying for your father’s soul to receive eternal rest, thank you for sharing this beautiful story.

    Bear down always.

  16. Feel for you man. I lost my dad too a couple years ago and he’s the reason I’m a Bears fan. Miss him every day. Bill is watching somewhere and loving this. Bear Down.

  19. Very sorry to hear about your dad Bill. I lost my dad, who was an Eagles fan, back in 2022 so I know your pain. Their next season they end up going to the Super Bowl against the Chiefs for the first time and I thought, “Ol’ Fatboy Sr. pushed ’em to the big game.” They ended up losing, unfortunately. My sister and I would have made custom Super Bowl rings if the Eagles won with “For Ricky” engraved on them. I didn’t cry when my dad passed away right away, either, but it wasn’t too long after his funeral that I finally got that moment to grieve. Went to call him instinctively one day, stared at his name in the contacts and just wept for hours. I feel you 100%.

    I’m not a religious man, either, but it’s completely okay to “talk” to him from time to time. I’d like to believe people live on through our thoughts and memories of them well after they have passed away. I’m sure if he were alive today and saw the Monday night game, he would have had a great laugh and maybe a dance to go along with it. Stay strong, friend. We get through these things together.

    Bear Down.

  20. Doesn’t get better but it gets easier, buddy. Appreciate the little nudge, Bill. Bear down.

  21. Damn bro this got me emotional. Going to go call my Dad. Your old man is still Bearing down hard!

  22. To Bill! He sounds like he was a great father. Thank you for sharing. On an unrelated note, I need to go tell my wife she needs to lay off cutting so many damn onions in the house

  23. Helluva send off. Always great to have a moment of joy and remembrance. Best to you and your family.

  24. My dad died a couple of years ago and he was my go to text buddy for all Bears games. Glad you got at least one last game in plus this redemption game.

  25. It’s crazy the illness that football gives us lol and we do it willingly. But wouldn’t have it any other way. Gotta find passions in this life. Shoutout to your OG for the DUB! 🐻⬇️

  26. Really puts into perspective the crowd energy. Athletes are something special- to be able to perform in that environment.

  27. If you ever need an east coaster to go to bears games with in the future! I was so bummed I didn’t look at the schedule and get tix to this game… this game was amazing.

  28. I’m so very sorry for your loss. This is an awesome moment for you. Me and my dad text or call during every game we can’t watch together. I truly can’t imagine how this moment felt for you.

  29. Different sport, but when the 2016 Game 7 WS rain delay happened, and the Cubs won in extra innings, I had a similar feeling. I remember being so pumped in the moment, but when I got back home, I bawled my eyes out. Like a lot, and uncontrollably too. Felt like all my friends and family that had passed through the years pulled some strings from above. Perhaps all the rain was their tears pouring from the sky, and maybe the rain during Monday night’s game was your father’s tears for you and your family.

    Here’s to your dad for the win! 🍻🐻⬇️

  32. This is beautiful man. My dad’s from Chicago but I grew up in Florida. My dad cursed me with this team and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Bear down

  33. Lost my dad about 4 years ago. He was a Chicago guy through and through. You could blind fold him and drop him off on a random street in the greater Chicago area and he’d know where he was.

    One of the last conversations we had together was about the Bears moving the stadium to Arlington Heights. He mentioned how he got the whole tradition thing being in the city, on the lake front and the history of Soldier but then brought up how it would just make so much more sense and thought it was actually a really good idea in the long run. I don’t know. Stupid story to share but I think about him every time stadium stuff comes up.

    I got emotional reading your story. I haven’t been able to properly grieve and process his death with everything going on in my life and I’m happy you were able to have that moment. Bear down!

  34. I had seen your post awhile back. Thought about your whole situation after the kick went in. Glad they pulled off the win. I don’t think they had to win though. You would have laughed and thought same ole Bears! The reaction in the car was inevitable. Going to the game and facing your grief was what really needed to happen. You already won the moment you decided to go. Sorry about your dad.

  39. That made me emotional man, I feel for you and I’m really happy the Bears were able to give this moment to you. Stay strong and keep enjoying the emotional rollercoaster this team puts us on.

  40. Much love to you and your beautiful family. I haven’t upvoted anything in years but you’ve got one from me. 🐻 🔽

  41. Next time you talk to your dad, thank him from all of us for guiding the ball through the uprights (and for placing the ball on the turf right where Nahshon could fall on it).

  42. He was there with you. There’s nothing like father/son bonding and it’s embedded for decades in Chicago sports (which most cities don’t have). Now you get to hopefully pass the torch to your kids. 🐻⬇️

  43. I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my father this past Sunday as well at the age of 49 and was very emotional watching the game. I am commenting from his account right now, we were both very extreme Bears fans. Praying for you and your family.

  44. Just remember, your Dad loved you with all he had. No matter what; he was, is, and will always be proud of you. Even though he’s no longer physically here, he is always with you. Missing him, is loving him. -signed a Dad

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