Plenty to Be Thankful, Bears Fans

After the Bears lost in such an ugly fashion on Monday night, it's easy to get angry and upset about the Bears. But tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we really should remember all the many things to be thank for as Bears fans.

I'm thankful that my team is one of the founding members of the NFL. Tradition isn't just a word for the Bears. They have more Hall-of-Famers than any NFL program and have a clear connection to founder George Halas via the McCaskey family.

I'm thankful for Walter Payton and Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus and Sid Luckman and Red Grange and Dan Hampton and Richard Dent and Mike Singletary and the '85 Bears and all of the interesting, hard-working men who have sported the navy and orange over the years.

I'm thankful that the Bears added Brandon Marshall to the team in the off-season, giving the Bears their first true no. 1 wide receiver in many years.

I'm thankful that Jay Cutler's concussion is healing, and that concussion protocols are in place to keep him from playing too soon. They're not perfect, but Cutler has a better chance to getting better than quarterbacks in previous generations.

I'm thankful that I've gotten to spend years watching Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher play the game. Their play and partnership has been a joy to see.

I'm thankful that Julius Peppers puts on a Bears uniform on Sundays.

I'm thankful that Charles Tillman has improved with age, and that the rest of the league is finally realizing just how good he is.

I'm thankful that Matt Forte has a contract, and instead of "Pay Forte," Bears fans can yell "Run Forte."

I'm thankful that D.J. Moore is the kind of guy who happily returns the television a fan lent to him. I'm also thankful that Bears fans are so kind as to share their televisions with Bears players.

Most of all, I'm thankful for Bears fans like you, who read Grizzly Detail, who follow us on Twitter during games, and who make covering the Bears every day a fun experience.