The convention is this weekend and Mary and I will be there.
Bears Fan ConventionWhile others were scrambling to make plans for Super Bowl XLI after the Bears squeaked by the Seattle Seahawks last January, I studied the options. Sure, we were close to Miami, in terms of proximity, but even cheap seats then would have cost us $5,000-$6,000. Add another $1,500-$2,000 for tickets to the NFL experience and one kickbutt Saturday night party. Then there were the hotels. For four nights, even a low-end one was gonna run $1,500-$2,000. Plus food. And alcohol. In the end, we could have spent upwards of $10,000 for the total Super Bowl experience.
Or...
I checked out the Bears Web site at the same time and noticed tickets were on sale for the convention. I nailed the tickets through TicketMaster and got the room through Hilton at the special convention rate for three nights. I watched airline prices for a few weeks until American Airlines offered to fly us back for $127 each, round trip.
By the time the Bears destroyed the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC championship, the convention was sold out. Then the Bears - and the fans - got washed out in the Miami rain by the Indianapolis Cheatin' Colts. My decision looked smarter with each passing day: A great Bears experience for less than 1/10th the cost of Super Bowl XLI.
I called ahead and they are clearing any remnants of "winter" from the downtown area. I've asked for outdoor temperatures of a least 60 degrees and it appears that will be accommodated, as well. I am only packing shorts and Bears jerseys.
Now, for those not attending the convention, I will be trying out my new digital camera for coverage that will begin here Saturday. And I will be getting all of the interviews from those top Super Bowl superstars like Lance Briggs, Tank Johnson, Thomas Jones, Justin Gage, Alphonso Boone, Ian Scott, Ron Rivera... Oh, wait. Well, Rex Grossman will be there as will Gayle Sayers, although it seems like sacrilege to include both in the same sentence. Other current and former Bears attending, according to the Bears Web site:
Mark Anderson
Kurt Becker
Mark Bradley
Doug Buffone
Copeland Bryan
Ronnie Bull
Airese Currie
Richard Dent
Rashied Davis
Allan Ellis
Dusty Dvoracek
Shaun Gayle
Tyler Everett
Kris Haines
Antonio Garay
Glen Kozlowski
Roberto Garza
Steve McMichael
Brian Griese**
Jim Morrissey
Rex Grossman
Jim Osborne
Chris Harris
Thomas Sanders
Mike Hass
Gale Sayers
Devin Hester
Bob Thomas
Israel Idonije
Calvin Thomas
Leon Joe
Steve Walsh
Olin Kreutz
James "Big Cat" Williams
Patrick Mannelly
Tim Wrightman
Terrence Metcalf
Fred Miller
Muhsin Muhammad
Brandon Rideau
John St. Clair
Dante Wesley
Rodriques Wilson
Hmmmm... Bob Thomas. I think I will spend some more quality time with him; maybe try to figure out what was REALLY behind the most grievous, most heinous act that I've witnessed in my 47 years on the planet: That missed field goal on Nov. 21, 1982 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His shank caused the Bears to miss the playoffs in that strike-shortened season. He has some atoning ...
Meanwhile, where is Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris, Cedric Benson, Mike Brown, Adewale Ogunleye, et al? Well, OK, I can see not having Mike Brown there: He might get caught in the crush of fans and get injured, again.
Rim Shot
Thank you. Good crowd. Good crowd.
But, seriously folks, Mike Brown is the one player who makes Rex Grossman look like a nominee for the "Iron Man" award.
Rim Shot
Man, why didn' I think of the rim shot button a long time ago...?
That Lovie Smith had quite a year: First black coach to win the NFC Championship; first black coach to be out-coached by a black coach in the Super Bowl...
Rim Shot
Wow!! This can get addictive. Anyway, we're getting ready for the big trip. Judging from blogs of fans who have attended the convention in years past, a good strategy is to eschew the long autograph lines and hang out in the hotel bar. I'm down with that ... this is our Spring Break!
More later,
Mark
3 comments:
Tsk, tsk Tsk...you are so "money oriented" are you not? Look, I went to the Super Bowl and tickets were...free (having a rich brother-in-law is nice--something I may miss). Staying in a CONDO in Orlando was...free (although I kicked in $100.00). T-shirt $36.00; flight $404 round trip; Hat $36.00; taking Jeff to Universal Studios Island of Paradise $85.00; meeting former Bear players and fans and experincing the NFL--Priceless; Getting soaked to the bone watching that inept team lose because their defense sucks and Rex Grossman couldn't throw a pass to a prostitute (rim shot) cost me about $700.00. Could I stay in Illinois and go to Bear Fan day or whatever (?), oh sure I could--I mean it is my Spring Break and all, but I have chosen a different path. I support this team with as little financial obligations as possible. By the way BEARS--SIGN LANCE (insert your favorite explative here) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. So forgive me if I do not undertand your financial "savvy" or your blind patronage to this rag-tag group of Teddy Bears as you scourage the floor and beg them to honor you with their esteemed pressence as you grovel and lick the boots of the McCaskeys of the world. No sir, this I shall not do after that pitiful performance in Miami. In fact, I feel the greatest pity for you and Mary, trekking to Illinois to grow more despondent. I mean, here my brother-in-law felt my company was worthy, and my own brother, MY OWN BROTHER would not take me--no this is not Sour grapes, this is vinegar that once was wine, baby (rim shot).
Oh and by the way, I need a Hester, Plank, Rueban Brown, Tait, Alex Brown, Mike Brown, and Lovie Autograph... Thanks in advance--love ya! (rim shot).
Have fun.
Holy cow, do I detect some sibling rivalry? Don't worry Mark I think I heard Eric say, "Mom always loved you best."
:^)
I am the "Robert" to Mark's "Raymond." Heh heh heh heh. (rim shot)
To be fair, Mark felt the guilt and asked me to go with him as he could find me a ticket, but I declined the offer.
Oh, Mark, get me "An Anderson" if it is available. Thanks!!!!!
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