By Joey Gelman
The Chicago Bears welcomed Chicago Public Schools (CPS) student-athletes to Halas Hall on Monday, August 1 as part of their Community Day during their 2022 Training Camp.
Over 700 youth, high school and girls flag football players and coaches from around the state took part in the day’s festivities that featured games, fan experiences, access to Halas Hall and the Walter Payton Center, djs, watching Bears practice and interaction with Bears coaches and players.
While the community day went on, CPS boys football and girls flag football were front and center as the Bears and new Head Coach Matt Eberflus welcomed players and coaches from Air Force Academy, Lindblom and Uplift to Bears practice. Players such as Robert Quinn, Ryan Griffin, Cole Kmet and more stopped to sign autographs, take pictures and gave the student-athletes encouragement and advice for their upcoming season.
Coach Eberflus took time to talk with all the student-athletes and coaches, sign autographs and posed for memorable photos.
While the students had an unforgettable day as VIP guests, interacting with the Bears players, they were also there to say thank you , as Eberflus and the Bears donated new cleats and jerseys to the programs as part of the continued partnership between the Bears and CPS for girls flag football, boys football and beyond.
Heading into the 2022 fall sports season, CPS and the Bears are excited to expand the partnership as the Girls Flag Football Program has expanded to over 50 teams in the city and has added Rockford and Oak Park River Forest in just its second year. Back of the Yards High School looks to defend their flag football title.
The Bears also are key instructional partners with CPS in youth and boys football, as CPS looks to crown its 2022 City Champion this season, as the Kenwood Broncos look to defend their title.
