The grill was attached to the rear of a 32-foot RV adorned with a painting of a bald eagle and an American flag above the words “Support our troops past and present” and “God bless America.” On the side was a Chicago Bears logo, an image of the Chicago skyline, and, in orange, “Monsters of the Midway.” The RV’s co-owner Jerry O’Drobinak cleaned the grill while other members of his party dutifully made preparations for “Packers Day.” It was 8:19 AM on week ten of the NFL season. O’Drobinak and company were among the many Bears fans getting situated in McCormick Place Lot B off 31st Street to enjoy one of the rites of fandom: tailgating.
The Bears entered the day 3-5, hosting the 4-4 Packers. With the drought-breaking championships of the White Sox in 2005, Blackhawks in 2010, and Cubs in 2016, and of course the many titles of the Jordan-era Bulls dynasty, the Chicago Bears—”the pride and joy of Illinois”—hold the city’s longest active futility streak among the so-called “big four” sports. And yet enthusiasm abounds due to rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, drafted second overall, along with running back Jordan Howard and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, and some play-making youth in the secondary. Adding further excitement about the day’s game was that Aaron Rodgers, an all-time Bears slayer, was sidelined with a broken collarbone, marking the first game since 1991 that the Packers faced the Bears without either Rodgers or Brett Favre at QB.
Mike Snedden, 55, has been a season-ticket holder (and tailgater) since 1982. Daughter Lexi, 22, started coming to games with dad when she was two years old. She knows the drill just as he does. Behind Snedden’s Chrysler Aspen was a five-foot long steam table with four compartments heating potatoes, chili, green beans, and pulled pork that Mike started smoking at 9 PM the night before.
Lexi walked over to the Bullingers with shots poured into small, plastic shot glasses.
He lifted a shot skyward. The group did the same.
Outside, Stasny watched while friends set out for Soldier Field. As the designated RV watcher, he’d stay behind.
