Veterans typically have the power to make players redo their performances if they feel they are not up to standard. One of the vets who really takes rookie performances seriously is 10th-year pro Kevin Byard III.
A tough critic, Byard had a rather positive review for Loveland.
“That’s a great karaoke song,” Byard said. “I think he picked a really good song, it was really funny. I think he had a great song. He put a little sauce on it, gave us a little dance, a little bop.”
For rookies who don’t perform as well as Loveland, their lack of success is made known by their veteran teammates.
“We just boo,” Byard said. “Start throwing paper up there, and then basically you just get escorted off the stage like it’s ‘Showtime at the Apollo.'”
Byard shouted out a couple more rookies whose performances he enjoyed, but as far as the rest, the veteran safety didn’t mince his words.
“[Receiver] Jahdae [Walker] did really good as well,” Byard said. “His was actually funny. He did a good one, he did Soulja Boy “Pretty Boy Swag.” Kyle [Monangai] did a really good one too. It was solid.
“But most of them sucked, to be honest. I’m just keeping it real.”
It didn’t help that Loveland was the first rookie to sing near the start of training camp, making it difficult to follow his viral act.
Fellow tight end Cole Kmet gave props to his new teammate for setting the tone and affirming his position as the top performer among the Bears’ 2025 rookie class.
“Colston did a really good job with his rookie performance,” Kmet said. “Came prepared, sung his heart out, had some good dance moves along the way. I’m pretty confident that will remain the No. 1 rookie performance of the offseason.”
Watch the full episode of 1920 Football Drive below, including Colston Loveland’s viral rookie performance.