That's It!

[READER]( A few minutes before halftime in Sunday’s Bears season opener, I turned off the TV in disgust, having just witnessed Matt Nagy make some of the worst play-calling in the history of sports. And I announced to no one (as there was no one else in the room to announce it to)—that’s it! I’m through with the Bears—forever! Something you should know about me. I’ve been a rabid fan of Chicago sports since the Johnson administration. That’s LBJ—not Andrew. Good God, I’m not that old. As such I’ve been known to make many, I’m-through-with-them declarations a season. Only to go right back to watching—as I’m a forgiving type. In this case, the Bears were already on probation for having traded up to draft Mitch instead of just drafting Patrick Mahomes, who’s well on his way to being one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. But after watching Nagy’s end-of-the-first-half malfeasance, I decided I could not bear (no pun intended) to waste another precious minute of my life watching this team. Especially when it was so lovely outside. So, I hopped on my bicycle and took off for no place in particular, tracking the game’s progress by the cheers and / or groans that emanated from bars, houses, and apartments I rode by. You’d be surprised how many Bears fans are still watching, even though they traded up to take Trubisky as opposed to just drafting Patrick Mahomes. As I may have already mentioned. By far the day’s greatest cheer occurred when D’Andre Swift, a Detroit Lions rookie, dropped what would have been the game-winning touchdown with 11 seconds left. And so, the Bears—led by, gulp, Trubisky—walked away with an improbable comeback victory. They’re now undefeated and tied for first place. As such, I’ve forgiven them. But if they lose next week’s game to the Giants? Then that’s it! I’m through with them—forever! And this time I really mean it. Sincerely, [Evan F. Moore]( on Harold Blackmon . . . [Megan Kirby]( on the gone-but-not-frog-gotten Rainforest Cafe . . . [Ben Joravsky]( on mayoral school-savior myths . . . [Vincent E. Norment]( and Lisa Solomon on the cannabis “social equity” debacle . . . [Richard Steele]( Real Deal—on Chicago politics, jazz, and Trump . . . [Henry Davis Jr](. on beating COVID-19 . . . [Savior stories]( Let’s end the myth that Mayors Daley and Rahm saved Chicago Public Schools. By [Ben Joravsky]( [@joravben]( [Hit it!—the new Blues Brothers weed, that is]( A Skokie dispensary features dozens of varieties of flower, including a strain celebrating the Chicago film’s 40th anniversary. By [Catey Sullivan]( [@CateySullivan]( [Listen to The Ben Joravsky Show]( By [Ben Joravsky]( [@joravben]( [Issue of Sep 3-16, 2020 Vol. 49, No. 43]( [Download Issue]( (PDF) [DONATE]( [View this e-mail as a web page]( [@chicago_reader]( [/chicagoreader]( [@chicago_reader]( [Chicago Reader on LinkedIn]( [/chicagoreader]( [chicagoreader.com]( [Forward this e-mail to a friend](. Want to change how you receive these e-mails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. Copyright © 2020 Chicago Reader Store, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Chicago Reader Store Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader Store 2930 S. Michigan Ave.Chicago, IL 60616 [Add us to your address book](