Da Bears...Da Bears...Da Bears...

Any credibility I ever had as a journalist was lost last night in the back corner of Virgil's Restaurant in Times Square. I interviewed two friends who dress as Da Superfans and cheer on Da Bears. There are actually four but tonight only two could make it. I don't think I would have survived all four together. So, two of the four dressed in true character joined me for some ribs and to talk a little football. They talked alright. However it was me who couldn't keep a straight face.

Let's discuss Da Superfan's outfit first so you can get a visual. The following are necessary before ever leaving the house:

Long hair-Check
Chicago Accent-Check
Bears gear (including but not limited too t-shirt, sweater, jacket, watch, and hat)-Check
Whistle-Check
Fanny pack-Check
The Bible: A book on Mike Ditka-Check
Mustard (Chicago Yellow Mustard)-Check
Pepcid AC-Check
Mustache (preferably one that stays on IF not authentic)-Check
Sunglasses (any style that existed in the 80's)-Check
Hatred for the Packers (apparently this is a gene you are born with if a true Bears fan)-Check

Now do you have a visual of what was sitting across the table from me? Is it possible to begin to understand why I couldn't stop laughing? These two 'fans' walked right into that restaurant chanting 'Da Bears, Da Bears, Da Bears, Da Bears' causing everyone to look and either cheer or yell something back about the Colts. Rory O'Callahan from Gurnee, IL and Larry Puchalski (pictured above) from Aurora, IL sat down and immediately tried to explain to me what it means to be a Superfan.

Watch 'Da Superfan Shuffle' music video

After ordering the sampler (ribs, popcorn shrimp, hush puppies, sausage and the key item: corn dogs) plus some PBR's the two began to talk. They read to me from the Bible-that of the man, the legend, Coach Mike Ditka. They told me how to make a true Chicago hot dog (there is so much junk on there, I don't think they even know what the actual hot dog tastes like). I listened to their favorite Bears players and how they are 100 percent behind Rex Grossman, Lovie Smith, Bernard Berrian, and Brian Urlacher. According to Rory and Larry, Peyton Manning's thumb hurts because he got a paper cut looking at his playbook and is wasting his time even showing up in Miami.

Rory had a hard time keeping his mustache on. Ha.. so thankfully he had a backup. When the video goes up, you'll see what I'm talking about. Scene 1-dark long black mustache, Scene 2-no mustache at all, Scene 3-short brown mustache. Awesome.

When I asked them what they would do if Mike Ditka walked in the door and offered them a beer I actually had to lean out of the camera shot so you couldn't see me laughing and the tears rolling down my face. I tried really I did. But I just couldn't get a question out without smiling, muffling laughter, or just plain cracking up. Nope, not exactly one of my more serious pieces in my career but definitely one of my favorites.