bears

Bears Win For First Time In 346 Days, Magic Johnson Rips Commanders

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The Chicago Bears beat the Washington Commanders 40-20 on Thursday Night Football. While it only propelled the Bears to 1-4 on the season, it is a major milestone for the team. It ended a 14-game win streak and marked the Bears’ first victory since beating the Patriots in Week 7 of the 2022 season. Furthermore, it was the team’s first 40-point game since Week 16 of the 2020 season. “I think the emotion I felt literally until … the clock hit zero was relief. It’s been a long time coming to get this first win. We’ve got a lot of talent; we’ve just got to put it together. These types of performances can carry over, but we have to be able to execute and be in sync as a group,” tight end Cole Kmet said after the game.

Meanwhile, new Commanders co-owner Magic Johnson ripped into his team after the game. “Tonight the Commanders played with no intensity or fire. We didn’t compete in the first half and got down 27-3 heading into halftime. It was too big of a hole to climb out of and that is why we ended up losing 40-20,” the NBA legend tweeted after the game. The loss dropped Washington to 2-3 and marked their third consecutive loss.

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Bears Legend Dick Butkus Dies

However, there was something else the Bears were fighting for other than their first win of the season. Hours before the game, it was announced that Bears legend and Hall of Famer Dick Butkus had died at the age of 80. Butkus was once called “The Most-Feared Man in the Game” and terroized offenses between 1965 and 1973. Despite being an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro player, the Bears never made the playoffs while Butkus was on the team. After playing his collegiate years at Illinois, Butkus was drafted by both the NFL and AFL. However, he opted to stay close to home and chose the Bears over the Broncos.

After retiring, Butkus pursued acting and sports broadcasting and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979. He also left a deep sporting legacy. His nephew Luke is a long-time NFL positional coach and currently works with the Green Bay Packers. Meanwhile, his grandson currently plays volleyball at UCLA. Furthermore, Butkus was heavily involved in philantophic work following his playing career. The Butkus award is given annually to the best linebacker at each of the high school, college, and pro levels. Furthermore, Butkus gave his name to a heart health foundation. His passing was marked by a moment’s silence before Thursday’s game.

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Dick Butkus, NFL Legend, Dies At 80

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NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus has died at the age of 80. The Bears broke the news, saying that Butkus had died in his sleep at his home in Malibu. Butkus was once called “The Most-Feared Man in the Game” and terroized offenses between 1965 and 1973. Despite being an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro player, the Bears never made the playoffs while Butkus was on the team. After playing his collegiate years at Illinois, Butkus was drafted by both the NFL and AFL. However, he opted to stay close to home and chose the Bears over the Broncos.

After retiring, Butkus pursued acting and sports broadcasting and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979. He also left a deep sporting legacy. His nephew Luke is a long-time NFL positional coach and currently works with the Green Bay Packers. Meanwhile, his grandson currently plays volleyball at UCLA. Furthermore, Butkus was heavily involved in philantophic work following his playing career. The Butkus award is given annually to the best linebacker at each of the high school, college, and pro levels. Furthermore, Butkus gave his name to a heart health foundation.

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NFL Remembers Dick Butkus

A moment of silence was held for Butkus prior to the Bears’ Thursday night game against the Commanders. “Dick Butkus was a fierce and passionate competitor who helped define the linebacker position as one of the NFL’s all-time greats. Dick’s intuition, toughness and athleticism made him the model linebacker whose name will forever be linked to the position and the Chicago Bears. We also remember Dick as a long-time advocate for former players, and players at all levels of the game,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

“He was Chicago’s son and exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidentally, what George Halas looked for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passion and leadership. He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself, or from his teammates,” added Bears chairman George McCaskey.

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Cole Bennett Announces Chicago Bears Draft Pick: “I’m Off A Few Bud Lights”

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Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade fame announced the Chicago Bears’ third-round pick at the NFL Draft on Friday night in Kansas City. The iconic music video director and Illinois native shared on stage that the team selected defensive tackle Zacch Pickens with the 64th overall pick. The 23-year-old played college football at South Carolina.

“It’s pretty crazy to be here right now,” Bennett said to the audience. “I’m off a few Bud Lights so give me a second here. But I recognize that I’m in Kansas City, so go Chiefs. But I’m really here to say bear down. Where we at Chicago?”

Zacch Pickens At The NFL Combine

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 1, 2023, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cole Bennett has made a name for himself in Chicago specifically for organizing Lyrical Lemonade’s annual Summer Smash Festival. This year, Kid Cudi, Future, and Playboi Carti have been tapped as headliners with special guests including $UICIDEBOY$, Lil Uzi Vert, and “a very special Chicago guest” also set to appear. Other artists on the lineup include Vince Staples, Ice Spice, GloRilla, Freddie Gibbs, Rico Nasty, Juicy J, BabyTron, Ski Mask The Slump God, NLE Choppa, G Herbo, Lil B, Tee Grizzly, Cordae, Trippie Redd, Central Cee, and Lucki, among others.

As for the Bears’ young prospect, Zacch Pickens is listed at 6-foot-4 and 291-pounds as an athletic interior lineman. After the selection, general manager Ryan Poles likened him to former Kansas City Chiefs star Dontari Poe. “Like I say, there’s a level of multiplier where they can help other people as well, free other individuals up to make plays. Those guys have those pieces,” he said of the team’s selections. “And then the other thing is just coming up through the ranks, grade the flashes. Grade the flashes.” With all of their selections, the Bears will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season that saw them finish with a record of just 3-14.

Cole Bennett At The NFL Draft

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