I have a confession. I love the Chicago Bears. I also hate the Chicago Bears. Anyone who still hums the "Super Bowl Shuffle" from 1985 knows what I mean. The guy that wears a ratty old, frayed at the seams, Walter Payton jersey knows what I mean. Heck, Mike Ditka knows what I mean.
The Bears haven't looked like the '85 Bears until the team acquired Jay Cutler. It took only two years for Da' Bears to get to the NFC Championship Game. This was the cake. The icing was playing against the Green Bay Packers. Then it happened. Jay Cutler got injured, sort of. The rest, as they say, is history.
Since Cutler's exit, I've waited for the season to start. After all, third time's a charm. Unfortunately, with the NFL and the players battling over billions of dollars in revenue, Cutler's chance to redeem himself may never happen.
If that's the case, what will I do with myself?
Sports alternatives:
Whether or not you're aware, there are other sporting activities and events to watch that don't begin and end with FOOTBALL! Here's your chance to broaden your horizons and possibly become a fan.
Figure Skating:
The Grand Prix of Figure Skating kicks off every October and goes through December. Last season, the Grand Prix of Figure Skating consisted of six international competitions that ended at the Grand Prix Final. "The top six scoring skaters or teams at the end of the series will compete at the 2009-2010 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, held in Tokyo, Japan." This year's Grand Prix of Figure Skating should harvest the same excitement, especially when you're yearning a Devin Hester punt return.
National Dog Show Presented by Purina:
The National Dog Show Presented by Purina is broadcasted every Thanksgiving after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Millions of people are used to watching the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys play so this year could be the highest rated National Dog Show if the football season doesn't play out. Last year an Irish Setter named Clooney won. Who will this year's winner be?
Golf:
Tiger Woods spoiled us with golf when he entered the tour in 1996. This year's PGA Grand Slam of Golf will air October 18-19 and if that wasn't enough for you, the Chevron World Challenge will air December 1-4. Last season's Chevron World Challenge was epic. "Graeme McDowell capped off his greatest year by putting together the greatest comeback ever against Tiger Woods in the Chevron World Challenge."
So, even if football doesn't happen this year, there are plenty of exciting sports and events to hold you over until next season. I look at it this way, being a Bears fan, I could hold off loving and hating them for another year. Now I just need a Kanako Murakami skating jersey.
