We gazed at our TVs in disbelief, struggling to understand the unimaginable. How did this happen? Why didn’t we see it coming?
Caught in a false sense of security from our boundless optimism, we tried to wrap our heads around yet another devastating failure, just as we had after previous big losses. You’d think we’d be numb to it by now, having grown up as sports fans in Chicago in the 1960s. We learned early on how to handle that shocking gut-punch, the sudden turn of events that transformed a guaranteed victory into heartbreaking defeat. My first experience with this was the Blackhawks losing to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals.
The ’69 Cubs’ collapse was still fresh in our minds, but that had unfolded gradually, and we were back in school by September when the reality hit. We were sure this time would be different. The Hawks had made it to the ’71 Finals after a seven-game series against the New York Rangers, and they were leading 2-0 near the end of the second period when Jacques Lemaire’s long shot from near-center ice found the back of the net over Blackhawks goalie Tony Esposito. The rest is history—a shocking 3-2 loss that left countless kids like me in tears that night. Sixty-three years have passed in an instant. Since then, we’ve witnessed the Hawks win three championships. The Bears won a Super Bowl, and both the Cubs and White Sox captured a World Series. The Bulls even built a true dynasty in the ’90s. There have certainly been crushing defeats, like the Bulls’ Mother’s Day loss in the 1975 conference semifinals or the 2003 Cubs’ meltdown in Game 6. But at least we weren’t experiencing a drought forever.
It feels like we’ve returned to the Dark Ages, searching for signs of a brighter future. As Samuel L. Jackson’s character remarked in “Unbreakable”: “These are mediocre times… People are starting to lose hope.” It certainly appears dismal, and I think we can all agree on that. Just a few weeks ago, we were optimistic, envisioning a bright future and an era of progress. Momentum seemed to be on our side.
A new leader had taken charge, and an enhanced ground game promised victory. We believed that the troubles of the past would soon be forgotten. We dismissed the naysayers who warned us we might be getting ahead of ourselves, reminding us that there was still plenty of time to fail. “What do they know?” They’ve been making those claims for years. Sure, we’ve allowed our optimism to lead us astray before and faced disappointment, but that’s just part of life. This time would be different, we were convinced. It’s now clear that we were merely fooling ourselves, clinging to the hope while ignoring the harsh reality. We focused too far ahead instead of living in the present. And now, we find ourselves like Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day,” stuck reliving the past repeatedly.
The blame game has already begun: How did this happen? Who’s responsible? Naturally, the usual culprits are in focus—our disconnected leaders who speak confidently but don’t truly know how to succeed. We were so close to achieving our goals when their attempts to get “too clever” backfired. When confronted about their obvious mistakes, they offered the same old tired excuses, just as their predecessors did. It was all entirely predictable. A new boss, but nothing has changed. So what’s next? Staying in bed seems like the easiest option, requiring the least effort. However, that’s just the easy way out.
We don’t shy away from challenges—at least we haven’t in the past. We’ve faced setbacks time and again, only to regain our optimism later. At some point, you have to rise, shake it off, and move forward. Life continues, whether you win or lose. But that doesn’t make it any easier right now, especially if you find yourself waking at night with painful memories. Complete healing is going to take time. Yet, as many coaches, managers, and players have repeatedly said, it’s crucial to “tune out the noise.” Stop paying attention to the so-called experts. Quit doomscrolling—better yet, think about deleting your X account. Turn off the angry discussions on cable news and talk radio. Disconnect that antenna you just bought.
Go outside and rake the yard. Enjoy the September-like weather that feels more like mid-November. Tune in to WXRT or listen to your favorite music. We’ll get through this, despite the pain and embarrassment of losing when victory was so close. We’ve faced tough challenges before and always managed to rise again. It’s just another tough lesson in life. That incredible Hail Mary left us astonished, glued to our TVs in disbelief, and even days later, some of us are still struggling to bounce back. But Sunday brings a fresh start.
The forecast predicts unseasonably mild weather. Chicago Bears Insider: Stay updated with the latest news and analysis on the Chicago Bears. Email address By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and to receive emails from the Chicago Tribune. We’ll come together like the citizens of Whoville after the Grinch stole Christmas, celebrating with our families and friends as if nothing has changed. Remember, this isn’t the first time we’ve faced a gut-wrenching setback. Go out and rake the yard. Enjoy the September-like weather that feels strangely like mid-November. Tune in to WXRT or whatever music you like. We’ll get through this, despite the pain and embarrassment of losing when victory seemed so close. We’ve faced many tough challenges before and always managed to rise again. It’s just another difficult lesson in life.
That unforgettable last-ditch effort left us in shock, staring at our TVs in disbelief, and even days later, some of us still haven’t quite recovered. But Sunday brings a fresh start. The forecast calls for unusually mild weather. Chicago Bears Insider: Stay updated with the latest news and analysis on the Chicago Bears. By providing your email, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and to receive emails from the Chicago Tribune. We’ll come together like the people of Whoville after the Grinch stole Christmas, celebrating with friends and family as if nothing has changed. Remember, this isn’t the first time we’ve faced a gut-wrenching setback. Things have seemed grim in the past. Yet, we’ve kept moving forward. In moments like these, it’s essential to remember the words of a wise old man: “This, too, shall pass.”
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