By Jim Janus
I recently wrote how I paused my decades-long breakup with the bears to watch their wildcard win against the Packers. The game’s finale gave some family fun, a bit like 1985.
Wanting the fun to continue, I told Dad and Mom we’d watch the Bears versus Rams in the divisional playoff. My parents are in their nineties and I’m grateful for time with them–plus they’re my excuse for watching Chicago while claiming I’m still not a fan.
Before Sunday’s kickoff, I streamed the ’85 matchup. My dad and I stood and watched McMahon and team dominate that year’s Rams. We were so drawn in that our ladies were about to start dinner without us.
Jolted to the present, I flipped to the ’26 Bears and we guys hurried to the dining table. In the second quarter when the Bears matched the Rams’ seven points, I joked, “That TD just helped my digestion.”
The second half we watched from the couch. We were mostly quiet until that last play: Eighteen seconds remaining. Bears losing 17 to 10. The ball is snapped from the 14-yard line and Williams runs twenty-five yards–in the wrong direction–then launches what seems an up-for-grabs pass that goes and goes and goes…into the end zone and is caught by Cole Kmet!
You should have seen our faces. You did see them. The same expressions of you and whoever you were with. The fun was back!
As the fifth quarter was to begin, the TV showed us the rules. My wife then said she couldn’t take the stress. She left the room–but Dad, Mom, and I stayed to the end.
I don’t need to tell you the end.
A person who says they broke up with the Bears could cite Sunday’s loss as why they won’t go back. It’s more heartache.
But my heart’s okay…and not because the Bears show potential to get even better.
As overtime played out, I thought about what I could do after the game: hug my parents, laugh with my wife, read a chapter in a book, write something.
I realize now that it was me who made my past relationship with the Bears unhealthy. I expected my happiness to come from them.
Now I just want the Bears to bring some fun. And that’s what the past two games did.
Jim's Writing 