It was a historic season for the Chicago Bears, and Oak Park and River Forest High School was watching.
In the past, the Bears have struggled to find success in the playoffs, with their last playoff win in the 2011 season. This changed Jan. 10 when the Bears matched up against their historic rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
The Bears trailed by 18 at the half and were on the brink of elimination. However, in the second half, the narrative flipped. Touchdowns from DJ Moore, Olamide Zaccheaus and D’Andre Swift inspired what seemed like an impossible comeback. The game came down to the wire, with the Packers trying to score in the final seconds of the game. But their efforts were in vain, and the game ended 31-27. Their victory marked the first Bears playoff win in 15 years.
OPRF students knew to never give up on the Bears. Junior Rabi Noris said, “I wasn’t surprised. The Bears have done this many times throughout the season. There’s a reason they’re dubbed the comeback kids.”
Varsity football player Brendan Fox, Junior, agreed with Noris. “I knew that the Bears were in it even when they were getting killed at half,” he said. “I was also shocked that the Packers had managed to fall apart so badly.”
Junior Finn Kennedy, also on the varsity football team, said, “You don’t make those comebacks if you don’t have a good culture…Ben Johnson has definitely turned around the Bears’ culture.”
Chicago has always been a football city, but this year the fandom was at a fever pitch. “I think the Bears have had a huge impact on this city and its culture; it’s something that I’ve noticed all my life.” Noris said, adding, “I’m always seeing at least one thing in Oak Park related to the Bears every day, whether it’s clothing, a flag, or even stickers. The fans will always show up for the Bears even when times are rough.”
Following the Packers game, the Bears faced the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18. After another fourth-quarter comeback to tie the game, the Bears’ season ended in overtime 20-17.
But this game was still nothing but special for Bears fans. It included the crazy 14-yard passing touchdown, which was thrown 26 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The pass was thrown by Caleb Williams, the Bears’ sophomore quarterback, and received by tight end Cole Kmet. OPRF students agreed that the throw was one of a kind.
“I thought that was one of the coolest throws I’ve ever seen. My dad and I were shook and just looked at each other,” Noris said.
Junior Alessia Aherne said, “My jaw was on the ground after that play.” No matter what the outcome was, she knew that “this game is going to make history.”
Kennedy said, “It was an amazing throw…[Cole Kmet] is my favorite player—that’s why I have his jersey.”
As the season came to an end, Kennedy was still grateful to experience such a successful season. “It was heartbreaking, but they still exceeded everyone’s expectations.”
