Bears Chair GEORGE MCCASKEY recently walked from Decatur, Ill., the original home of the team, to Soldier Field, a journey of 196 miles, to "commemorate the Bears' 100th season," according to Patrick Finley of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. McCaskey, who finished on July 25, "averaged about 20 miles per day and wore through four pairs of shoes." He also "grew a gray beard" during his walk. A support driver "dropped him off in the mornings and drove him to meals or his hotel." The next day, he "returned to the stopping point" to keep going. He "began training" for the walk Jan. 1. McCaskey "talked to a Bears trainer and was connected to a hiker through another employee." On weekdays, he "walked about seven miles over two hours -- it was all the time he could afford." His "music taste skews toward divas, so he listened to LEONA LEWIS and OLETA ADAMS, plus JAMES TAYLOR, JIM CROCE and CAROLE KING." When asked what he learned about himself through the experience, McCaskey said, "A lot of times, it was just one foot in front of the other. Just keep going" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/3).
WIGGLE ROOM: The Bears said that they will be "giving away" 11 different bobbleheads over 10 home games this season. The first 20,000 fans entering Soldier Field at every preseason and regular-season game will "receive a voucher for the keepsakes" so that they can "claim their bobblehead from a designated pickup area before kickoff." The team said that in the week leading up to the game, "6-foot replicas of the designated bobblehead will be on display around the city before being moved to Soldier Field on game day" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/2). Meanwhile, a "mass of Bears fans estimated at 18,797 showed up Saturday night at Soldier Field for the Meijer Chicago Bears Family Fest to cheer on the team" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 8/4).
