I was born in Chicago and spent my first nine years there, and although I don’t get back often, I remember those early years with fondness. We lived right in the heart of the city, just blocks from the John Hancock Building (now known as simply “875 North Michigan Avenue,” but it will always be “Big John” to me), yet it seemed almost suburban: we played on the streets, rode our bikes and hot-footed it to the park at will, with no adult supervision. Those were the days.
Yes, it was damn cold, but we dealt with it.
My first live sports event was at Soldier Field, where we sat frozen in our seats, watching the beloved Bears get crushed, as was usually the case. Some years later, after a bet with my father, I actually got to see the Monsters of the Midway crush the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX in 1986 by a score of 46–10. It could have been worse for the Pats, but Coach Ditka let ’em off easy.
It was a story about much more than football:
Memories: How Dad and I Ended Up at the ’86 Super Bowl Watching the Greatest Defense of All Time (VIP)
Not much has gone right for the Bears since, unless you count the fluky 2007 Super Bowl, where the Bears somehow qualified despite having Rex Grossman as signal-caller, a QB whose hot streaks could turn to cold waves in a heartbeat. They were easily dispatched by Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts, and it’s been nothing but heartbreak since.
So many heartbreaking memories like this:
ICYMI: The reigning Super Bowl champs get by the Bears after Cody Parkey’s game-winning FG attempt was tipped, hit the post AND crossbar.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/vg78mX3GSj
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 7, 2019
So it was with some trepidation that I sat down Saturday night to watch them take on the dreaded Green Bay Packers in the first round of the playoffs. Sure, Da Bears were somehow 11-6, but did anybody actually believe they were the real deal? As if to remind everybody that Ditka had long ago left the building, they promptly dug themselves into a 21-6 hole and looked like the NFL version of the Keystone Cops. “I ordered a pizza,” I texted my betting buddies. “Wish I could cancel it. ☹️”
They were down 18 points at halftime and showing nothing to indicate that they could change the direction they were headed.
Yes, you could rightfully slam me for having little faith – because I was wrong, oh so wrong. The Bears were a completely different team in the second half and completed the biggest postseason comeback in their 107-year history. It was plays like this from USC alum Caleb Williams that sent the frigid fans into delirium:
This was the most impactful throw of Caleb Williams’ life
Season on the line, rolling out to his left and threading the needle with 4 Green Bay defenders in the area
This is why he was the 1st overall pick
Truly an unbelievable comeback for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears pic.twitter.com/q3QW5TBGk8
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbott) January 11, 2026
And another gem with 1:48 left in the game:
DJ FREAKING MOORE 💫
📺: @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/igTC04pKXw
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 11, 2026
Williams looked like a third-stringer on a bad team for most of the first half, throwing ball after ball yards from his receiver or directly into the ground, but then he got hot in the second half and did this:
Caleb Williams just had the most passing yards in a playoff game in Bears history. pic.twitter.com/ZjfX0KHyud
— Real App (@realapp) January 11, 2026
Although the defense was certainly not up to the standard of the ’85 Bears, they stiffened in the second half and, for the most part, shut down QB Jordan Love and the Pack.
We regularly report bad news out of the Windy City — the endless murders, their far-left mayor who cares more about pushing extremist politics than he does keeping his citizens safe, the odious Illinois governor who never met an illegal immigrant he didn’t want to hand over taxpayer money to, and so forth.
But tonight, it was one for the ages, one for Chicagoans and former residents to celebrate. I’m not saying they’re going to win the Super Bowl, but watching the rival Packers take it in on the chin will always be satisfying.
CALEB WILLIAMS GRATING CHEESE ON LIVE TV IS DIABOLICAL.
😭😭😭
LEGENDARY. pic.twitter.com/MVKV3BJ1xs https://t.co/ydko2hd8Yz
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) January 11, 2026
My pizza ended up being damn good.
Relive every moment:
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