This is my first open blog. The subject I’m choosing seems to be very controversial here in Wisconsin (by the way, I was born and raised in Wisconsin), but it’s something that I need to get off my chest. DA BEARS! There. I said it. Say what you will. But it had to be said. I can’t help being excited. The last time the Bears were in the Superbowl, I was in a birth canal (not to the day exactly, but close enough).
All my life, I have been harassed for being raised a Bears fan. I went to Catholic school 1-12 grades. In grade school, we would get the opportunity to wear jeans instead of the uniform on theme days: Packer/Bear day. I would be ONE of roughly five children in Bears clothing. Let me tell you, I was decked out: Zubaz, sweatshirts, jackets, hats, socks, everything (see page left..my little brother and his friend in some of my old 'fits). I would get pushed on the play ground, or made fun of. Two other girls in my class would be my allies on these days, and I love them for it (the mother of one of these girls recently lost her hair due to cancer treatments and is planning on painting a huge, orange “C” on her new canvas in honor of the momentous occasion on Sunday). Then, I became aware that Catholicism apparently requires you to support the Packers. The school changed Bear/Packer day to just Packer day. If you weren’t a Packers fan, you got to wear your uniform for the 126th day in a row. Being the die hard Bears fan that my father is, no daughter of his was wearing Packers clothing…and off my oldest brother went to school in his Packers gear (he once cried when forced to wear a Bears sweatshirt for a family Christmas photo). Bring on more harassment.
Fast forward to 2007. After 22 years of embarrassment, harassment, our house being egged (my father proudly flies a Chicago Bears flag in the front yard), we come out on top. Suddenly I’m seeing a lot more Chicago apparel on campus. However, the absolute disdain for the Bears is bleeding from the veins of Wisconsin. Local radio stations are offering anti-Superbowl parties that offer to pay for people to go see a movie rather than watch the Bears in the Superbowl. That’s just garbage people. I will proudly sit on a couch and watch a pro-football game, despite my dislike for the NFL, simply because the Bears are in it. And, even if they (gasp) lose, I’ll still love them next year.
3 comments:
I'm responding back on your blog because I have to say I love that picture! I'm pretty sure my Dad has pants like that. Also, I want to give you props for being a Bears fan from Wisconsin. I guess it is expected of me since I'm from Chicago, but you must have an even tougher time dealing with all these Packer fans! From experience with a couple of hard-core Packer friends and from attending a Bears-Packers game a couple of years ago, I know how brutal they can be!
A bears fan in Wisconsin. You must've faced a great deal of harassment. I've never really understood the need for people to rag on other people for which sports team they like. Although, blue and orange are some pretty gaudy colors. I suppose green and yellow aren't much better though. The colors do look pretty sweet on those Zubaz though. I really think those should make a come back. I remember having at least one pair. I think the world would be a much better place if everyone wore Zubaz all the time. I mean, everyone would be constantly laughing at each other. It'd be a true utopia.
I'd like to thank you both for your support..jk. Yea, Zubaz are pretty much the sweetest item of clothing that has ever existed. And yes, Packer fans (as well as Iowa, Indiana and especially MICHIGAN fans, among others) can be REALLY obnoxious and unforgiving.
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