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Chicago Tribune
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bears announce dates for practices in Lake Forest open to the public
Fans looking to get a glimpse of the Chicago Bears under their new coaching staff will have 11 opportunities to do so this summer in Lake Forest. Seeking to rebound after a disappointing 5-12 regular season, the Bears, under the direction of new head coach Ben Johnson, have announced their 2025 training camp schedule. The slate includes 11 practice sessions open to fans at their Halas Hall headquarters. The first practice that fans can watch is set for Friday, July 25. That will be followed by sessions on July 26, 29, 30, 31, and August 2. They are all set to begin at 8:30 a.m., reflecting a start time one hour earlier from last year. Five additional practices are scheduled between August 7 and 15, including joint practices against the Miami Dolphins on Friday, August 8 and the Buffalo Bills on August 15 at 10:30 a.m. ahead of preseason games against those opponents at Soldier Field. Beyond watching quarterback Caleb Williams preparing for his second NFL season, plus catching a glimpse of the rest of the players, the Bears will offer a series of fan-friendly interactive activities on the Halas Hall campus, including many aimed at children. Some players will be available to sign autographs following each practice, according to the team. Tickets are free and will be available starting July 9 at 10 a.m. through but walk-up tickets on the specific days will not be available. Practice sessions could be closed in case of inclement weather. The team will also have three private community practice sessions available only through invitation. 'Training Camp is one of the most special moments on the Bears calendar. It's a time where our team sharpens their focus, builds chemistry and sets the tone for the season ahead,' Bears Senior Vice President of Fan/Guest Experience and Stadium Operations said in a statement. 'It is also a chance to bring out fans into the experience, allowing them to witness firsthand the dedication, preparation and intensity that fuels the Chicago Bears. The energy at Halas Hall during camp is electric, and it is powered by the passion of Bears fans who show up, year after year, in support of the upcoming season. We are thrilled to welcome our fans back to Halas Hall ahead of an exciting season.' Free parking will be available at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills with shuttle service starting 15 minutes ahead of the gate opening and continuing for two hours after practice, according to a team statement. The team will continue a prohibition of drop-offs near Halas Hall, including ride-sharing services. The Bears moved training camp to Halas Hall in 2020. Lake Forest Community Development Director Catherine Czerniak noted the 2025 operation will look similar to previous years. 'Everything has gone very well the past few years since training camp shifted to Lake Forest,' she said. 'We don't anticipate any changes, and we look forward to hosting Bears fans again this year.'
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears All-Quarter Century Team: Cornerbacks
Twenty-five years of Chicago Bears football are in the books since the turn of the century. Since the calendar turned over to 2000, the Bears have seen some success, but also plenty of woeful stretches. Early on, Chicago became a defensive force, claiming four division titles and reaching only their second Super Bowl in franchise history from 2000 to 2010. Since then, however, a 14-year playoff victory drought that is still ongoing and a one-sided fight with their rival Green Bay Packers have taken the spotlight. For all the ups and downs the Bears have seen, however, they had plenty of talent over the years across offense and defense. Multiple former Bears players are already in the Hall of Fame, while many more provided years of incredible play in the navy and orange. Here at Bears Wire, we're celebrating the best Bears players at each position over the last 25 years. Next up is cornerback, a group that has featured plenty of ballhawks—and a player who changed the game with forcing fumbles. Charles Tillman We may never see another cornerback quite like Charles "Peanut" Tillman. The lengthy physical defensive back burst onto the scene during his rookie season with the Bears in 2003 when he ripped the ball out of Randy Moss's hands in the end zone to secure a victory, and he became an integral member of Lovie Smith's defense. Tillman ranks third all-time for Bears career interception leaders with 36 and proved to be a great cover corner, having legendary battles with the likes of Calvin Johnson and Jordy Nelson throughout his career. But it was his knack for forcing fumbles that gave him national recognition. Tillman's 44 career forced fumbles are tied for sixth all-time in NFL history, but he's the only defensive back inside the top 10. "The Peanut Punch" became a staple in the 2010s for Tillman's ability to force fumbles on ball carriers. For his efforts, Tillman earned a pair of Pro Bowl honors in 2011 and 2012, as well as being named First-Team All-Pro for his league-leading 10 forced fumbles in 2012. Going against Tillman was difficult in itself for wide receivers, but then they had to watch out if they actually caught the ball. He's one of the most underrated defensive backs in league history and rightfully sits atop the position group for the Bears. Jaylon Johnson Jaylon Johnson has come a long way since his first NFL game when he got trucked by Marvin Jones Jr. The 2020 second-round pick has slowly but surely developed into one of the NFL's best cornerbacks, thanks to his elite cover skills. Johnson may not have the gaudy interception totals like some of his peers, but he's a problem for opposing quarterbacks. So much so that they opt to avoid him altogether. After a solid few seasons in the league, Johnson broke out in 2023, becoming the highest-graded cornerback of the season according to PFF. He allowed an opposing quarterback rating of just 50.9, according to Pro Football Reference, and he nabbed four interceptions. Johnson made his first Pro Bowl that season and was named Second-Team All-Pro. He maintained expectations in 2024 as well, despite a tumultuous season from the team around him. At 26 years old, Johnson is in the prime of his career and has a chance to become the Bears' best cornerback of the 21st century when his career is complete. Kyle Fuller It's easy to forget how wild Kyle Fuller's career was for the Bears. He looked like the heir apparent to Tillman during his rookie season when he shined on the national stage and then was on the verge of becoming a bust in 2016 when he missed the entire season and fell out of favor with Vic Fangio. It took some time, but Fuller found his footing and became a sensational ballhawk beginning in 2017. Despite entering the year as a backup, Fuller became a starter again thanks to injury and didn't let it go. He totaled 22 pass breakups and finally looked like the first-round pick the team invested in three years earlier. Fuller peaked in 2018 with seven interceptions and 21 pass breakups, which led the league, during the Bears' division title run, culminating in a Pro Bowl nod and being named First-Team All-Pro. Fuller took chances playing off the ball and had a knack for jumping routes at the perfect time. It was risky, but he came out on top more often than not. Fuller earned another Pro Bowl trip in 2019 and had a solid end to his Bears career in 2020. It took some time, but Fuller lived up to his potential in the end. Tim Jennings Near the end of the Lovie Smith era, the Bears were in need of a quality cornerback to start opposite Tillman. Nathan Vasher struggled with injuries, and Zackary Bowman was a flash in the pan. The solution was to sign Tim Jennings as a free agent in 2010, and it didn't take him long to become the starter the Bears needed. Jennings helped improve the Bears' run defense early in his tenure and took advantage of the targets that came his way in the passing game when teams were avoiding Tillman. In 2012, Jennings led the league with nine interceptions while also finishing with 21 pass breakups. He earned Pro Bowl honors that season and was named Second-Team All-Pro, finishing just behind Tillman. His strong play continued in 2013, despite the Bears changing regimes and hiring a new defensive staff. Jennings totaled four interceptions and 13 pass breakups. He even scored two defensive touchdowns, which led the league for a defensive player. Despite being undersized at 5'8", Jennings was a productive outside cornerback who played bigger than his frame. Honorable mention: Nathan Vasher
CBS News
16 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Pride Bowl brings annual flag football tournament to Chicago lakefront ahead of Pride Parade
Before the Pride Parade steps off on Sunday in Chicago, Pride Bowl Champions will be crowned at the flag football tournament at Montrose Beach. Pride Bowl's annual tournament, hosted by the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association, draws players from all over the country. The tournament features 32 open+ teams and 24 women's+ teams competing across seven divisions, with more than 800 players. Some of the players are former college athletes. All of them bring a ton of intensity and pride to the field. The Pride Bowl flag football tournament started in 2008. It connects members of the LGBTQ+ and ally communities together. Every player and fan shares a love of football and competition. For the past two years, the Chicago Bears have thrown their support behind Pride Bowl. The team has supported the tournament's growth through club donations and volunteers. The tournament started Friday morning with round robin play. The tournament's playoff bracket will be on Saturday, with champions crowned in each division. Some of the players explained what makes the annual tournament so special and why they play. "It's a badge of honor to win Pride Bowl. It's our second biggest national tournament of the year," Chicago Blaze captain Logan Oppegard said. "We play for our home turf. This is our tournament. It's Pride Weekend. We bring a lot of that energy to this tournament, and that's why we're playing out here today, and that's why we want to rep Chicago well," Chicago Sparks player Katy Oldach said The Chicago teams playing in Pride Bowl will also take part in the Pride Parade on Sunday.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV Blesses Commanders Rival Ahead Of 2025 Season
Pope Leo XIV Blesses Commanders Rival Ahead Of 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Last year in the playoffs, the Detroit Lions needed all the help they could get against the upstart Washington Commanders, who buzz-sawed coach Dan Campbell's favored team in a 45-31 shellacking. Advertisement The Lions are coming back into 2025 with some extra juice, though, as they figure to once again join Washington as a Super Bowl contender. The Lions have The Vatican on their side. Pope Leo XIV - seriously - has blessed an NFL player ahead of the 2025 regular season. And really ... playfully ... Washington fans shouldn't be as upset about this as Chicago Bears fans surely are. The first-ever American pope just happens to be from Chicago ... and has long been well-known for his fandom of the Bears and the White Sox and all things Windy City. As it happens, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta and his new bride, Callahan Dellinger LaPorta, scheduled a vacation in Rome ... Advertisement And yes, they got blessed by the Pope, as the young NFL tight end demonstrated for all to see as took to Instagram to show off the photo on Wednesday. "Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride. A special moment we'll never forget,'' he wrote. Bears fans can be mock-unhappy about this ... but Chicago has spent a great deal of time in the NFC North basement and doesn't figure to be a match for the powerful Lions anyway. And the Commanders? As they and the Lions prepare to give chase to upsetting defending champion Philadelphia toward a Super Bowl run, they'll take any "blessing'' they can get. Advertisement Perhaps Dan Quinn should book himself a quick trip to The Vatican? Related: Commanders Trade Terry McLaurin for T.J. Watt in Blockbuster Prediction Related: What is Commanders' Biggest 'Red Flag' In 2025? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears All-Quarter Century Team: Defensive tackles
Twenty-five years of Chicago Bears football are in the books since the turn of the century. Since the calendar turned over to 2000, the Bears have seen some success, but also plenty of woeful stretches. Early on, Chicago became a defensive force, claiming four division titles and reaching only their second Super Bowl in franchise history from 2000 to 2010. Since then, however, a 14-year playoff victory drought that is still ongoing and a one-sided fight with their rival Green Bay Packers have taken the spotlight. For all the ups and downs the Bears have seen, however, they had plenty of talent over the years across offense and defense. Multiple former Bears players are already in the Hall of Fame, while many more provided years of incredible play in the navy and orange. Here at Bears Wire, we're celebrating the best Bears players at each position over the last 25 years. Up next is defensive tackle, a position that has been a catalyst for some of the best Bears defenses in franchise history. Tommie Harris The vaunted Bears defense of the mid-2000s had plenty of star power, such as Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Mike Brown, and Charles Tillman. But none were as important as Tommie Harris, the linchpinof Lovie Smith's Tampa 2 defense in Chicago. Harris was the first draft pick of the Lovie era, a player the coach compared to Warren Sapp. It was easy to see why. The first-round pick quickly solidified himself as a force up the middle, bullying guards off their blocks and chasing down running backs or quarterbacks with speed across the sidelines. Harris earned Pro Bowl honors three years in a row and was Second-Team All-Pro in 2005. The only thing that could slow Harris down was injuries, which became prevalent later in his career. The most consequential injury took place late in the 2006 season, when Harris missed the rest of the year due to a hamstring injury. Had he been healthy, there's a good shot the Bears would have wound up winning Super Bowl XLI. Regardless, Harris was a menace during the 2000s, and his play was a big reason why those defenses were elite. Akiem Hicks There's an argument to be made that no one embodied what it meant to be a Chicago Bear over the last 25 years more than Akiem Hicks. The talented defensive tackle arrived in Chicago as an intriguing free agent and left as one of the most important players in recent memory. Hicks joined the Bears in 2016 and easily outperformed his contract with a career year, totaling 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. The Bears signed him to a long-term extension, and Hicks maintained his high level of production that helped vault the defense into a top unit in 2018. With Hicks' help, the Bears won the division and gave Chicago one of the best defensive units they had seen. Hicks played with a tenacity while showing passion that fired Bears fans up all across the world. While Hicks' play started to come back down to earth in part due to injuries, his impact on Vic Fangio's defense won't soon be forgotten. Henry Melton Near the end of the 2000s, when Harris was on his last legs, the Bears had a hole at the defensive tackle position. Henry Melton stepped up and filled the void. The 2009 fourth-round pick out of Texas, Melton began making an impact in 2010 as a reserve before becoming a full-time starter in 2011. Melton was an athletic three-technique who took advantage of opportunities on the line thanks to the attention given to Julius Peppers. His best two seasons came in 2011 and 2012, when he totaled 13 sacks and 20 tackles. His Bears career didn't last too long, as the team placed the franchise tag on him for the 2013 season, where he played just three games due to suffering a season-ending injury. Melton lasted just two more years in the league, but his play in Chicago helped keep the Bears defense a formidable unit. Ted Washington Tough decisions were made when it came down to the final spot for the defensive tackles. While Eddie Goldman was an underrated run stuffer for half a decade in the 2010s, he never dominated like Ted Washington did—even if his stint was short-lived. Washington signed with the Bears as a free agent in 2001 after already being a massive human, playing at 6'5" and 365 pounds, who swallowed double teams like it was nothing during the Bears' magical 2001 season when they went 13-3 and won the NFC Central. Washington made everyone's lives easier by helping stuff the run and creating opportunities for players like Brian Urlacher, Rosevelt Colvin, and Phillip Daniels. His play earned him First-Team All-Pro honors that season. He also brought veteran leadership to the team, one that didn't have much experience playing winning football prior to his arrival. Washington only played a season and a half due to injury, but his impact on that 2001 team is still talked about to this day. Honorable mention: Eddie Goldman Bears All-Quarter Century Team
