Bear Down: What the Chicago Bears Taught Us About Belief, Resilience, and Finishing Strong

Proof that you never stop playing — until the clock says zero.

Yesterday wasn’t just a football game.

It was a statement.

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I don’t take moments like this lightly — and neither should we. The Chicago Bears just defeated our forever rivals, the Green Bay Packers, in a playoff game.

Let that sink in.

Not only did the Bears make the playoffs for the first time since 2018 — they won. Against Green Bay. In January. In front of the world.

If you’re from Chicago, you already know why that matters.

But even if you’re not a football fan, this season — and this win — carries lessons that go far beyond the field.

From “Bad News Bears” to Believers

Labels don’t decide outcomes. Leadership, belief, and buy-in do.

Let’s be honest.

Last season was rough. The Bears finished 5–12, and the noise was loud. Announcers, commentators, and fans didn’t hold back. The jokes were endless. The critiques were brutal. The label “Bad News Bears” floated around like a permanent stain.

This year?

11–6. Playoff bound. Victorious.

That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens because someone decides the past will not define the future.

Leadership That Doesn’t Flinch

Steady leadership changes everything.

Under the leadership of Ben Johnson, this team became something different. Not perfect. Not flawless. But grounded.

What stood out all season — and especially in yesterday’s game — was this:

The Bears do not panic.

Even when they’re behind.

Even when momentum shifts.

Even when the clock is working against them.

They play to the last second. They regulate their emotions. They stay focused on the end goal. And they’ve pulled off some truly miraculous comebacks because of it — yesterday included.

That’s not just football.

That’s discipline.

That’s trust.

That’s emotional intelligence under pressure.

Let Them Talk

Focused. Unbothered. Effective.

One of the most talked-about players on this team is Caleb Williams — and not just for his stats.

Caleb paints his nails.

And people had plenty to say about it.

Words like “soft” were thrown around casually. Doubts surfaced. Judgments were made — loudly and confidently — by people who had never taken a snap, never led a huddle, and never carried a franchise on their shoulders.

Meanwhile, he kept showing up.

He kept leading.

He kept winning.

That alone is a lesson many of us need to sit with.

The Real Lessons the Bears Are Teaching Us

This season reminded me that sports, at their best, are one of the greatest teachers of life and leadership. Here’s what stood out most:

Opinions are loud. Results are louder.

1. People will talk — whether you’re winning or losing.

Silence isn’t the reward for success. Noise just changes its tone.

2. Most people won’t believe in you until you believe in yourself — and prove it consistently.

Confidence isn’t declared once. It’s demonstrated over time.

Consistency beats commentary every time.

3. Bandwagon riders are inevitable.

They show up when things look good and disappear when things get hard. Don’t build your identity around them.

4. You must keep going — especially when it’s uncomfortable.

Progress often looks like patience disguised as frustration.

5. Everyone on the ship has to buy in.

Culture, alignment, trust, and shared direction matter more than individual talent alone.

That’s not just a winning football formula — it’s a blueprint for life, leadership, and business.

You don’t survive storms without trust and buy-in.

Personal for Me — Always

I’ll be honest: basketball will always be my first love. But my boyfriend — a former football player — brought me into the game in a deeper way. Now I understand it. I enjoy it. I watch even when he’s not around.

And as I watched yesterday’s game, I thought about my grandma.

My grandma-ma loved Chicago sports with her whole heart — and I carry that with me.

She was an all-sports Chicago fan. It didn’t matter the season or the league — if it was Chicago, she was watching. I know she’s somewhere smiling, proud, and soaking in this moment from above.

Moments like this connect generations.

They remind us that loyalty, belief, and hope matter — even when seasons are long.

For Anyone Who’s Building Something Right Now

Built in belief. Sustained by discipline. Finished with purpose.

If you’re starting something — a business, a career pivot, a new version of yourself — and it sucks right now… hear this:

Let them talk.

If people are being reckless with their opinions, don’t internalize it. Keep building. Keep grinding. Keep doing the work when no one is clapping.

Because one day, those same voices will:

• Get quiet

• Ride the wave

• Or wait for you to fall

None of that matters.

What matters is that you know who you are, you believe in what you’re building, and you stay committed long enough for the results to speak for you.

Success doesn’t always arrive on your timeline — but when it does, it’s undeniably loud.

The Bears are living proof that one year — or five — does not have to define you.

You can do better.

You can grow.

You can win.

But only if you believe and do the work — regardless of the noise.

“Good, better, best.

Never let it rest

’til your good gets better

and your better gets best.”

Bears on three.

Bear Down. 🐻

Chicago grit. Relentless growth.