Times are uncertain, uneasy and full of unrest. But, the Chicago Bears are committed to change.
It has been one of the most hectic 10-day stretches in recent memory for our country. While most of us were complaining and wondering if we’d get to see our beloved Chicago Bears in person this season, decades upon decades of tension continued to build in our nation — much of which many of us do not see on a daily basis.
A week and a half ago, yet another innocent black man’s life was lost at the hands of the police. This time, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. When George Floyd passed away in Minneapolis this past Memorial Day, the country provided scenes some of us have only seen in movies.
Protests and riots broke out around the country. To put it simply, enough was enough.
The question then became, how would athletes and professional sports teams respond to such events? Many athletes decided to join hands with those protesting in the streets, showing their support for immediate change. Others released statements, while plenty of video reactions surfaced around social media.
One thing was for certain: It seemed better to say something rather than remain silent, and for the most part, we saw plenty of players and teams carrying themselves in an outspoken matter. This is, of course, how change happens — coming together, not staying silent and being advocates for a different America.
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As for the Bears, head coach Matt Nagy decided to call a virtual team meeting this week to address the matters at hand. One of the Bears’ vocal leaders, Akiem Hicks, was pretty uneasy going into this particular Zoom call.
“I wasn’t too excited to get on that call. I didn’t think anything was going to come from it. I didn’t know why we were having this moment where we were singing Kumbaya and trying to get over what’s really happening in the world.“I felt like it might be a control situation where they want to control the narrative and point us in a direction so when we talk to [the media] there’s only going to be a certain message that you guys hear.” -Akiem Hicks (via Chicago Sun Times)
What Hicks didn’t know: Nagy was about to bring his Chicago Bears closer and more united than ever before.
According to the report out of the Sun Times, there were 139 players and coaches on the call. Roughly 40 of them spoke during the 2-hour meeting. In the end, Hicks said the meeting changed his perspective on life.
Hicks said there were some real, honest conversations and experiences shared on that call. He even said some of what was said was hurtful, although it was needed. He opted not to share details, and justifiably so. Something so sensitive, intimate and personal such as that meeting should remain between those involved.
Nagy did say that it was probably the most powerful 2-hour meeting he had ever been a part of, explaining the goal of the meeting this way:
“To listen and to let our players know how much I and we support them. And then let them feel our love. That starts by listening. We did that.”
Nagy also went on to say he was proud of their family, which speaks volumes about a group of professionals from all different backgrounds and races.
The Bears are a family. While there are other athletes, coaches and organizations releasing questionable statements lately, the Chicago Bears remain united as a family. That, friends, is something we should all be thankful for. That is something we should be proud of.
Hicks’ original thoughts on the meeting went on to change drastically. The meeting was “the complete opposite” to what he expected.
As it turns out, something so trivial as the sport of football can be a catalyst in bringing grown men together in the most powerful of ways. To Nagy and the Bears, it’s more than just football. It’s about impact.