Chris Conte’s time with the Chicago Bears was marred by injuries and poor play, but the safety got a measure of revenge against his former team and sent a big time message to the club.
During the game, which the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won in a 36-10 rout, Conte intercepted a Jay Cutler pass and returned it all the way to the end zone for a touchdown, and in the ensuing celebration he picked up a 15-yard penalty and hurt one of his coaches in the process.
After the game was over, Conte addressed his emotions following the interception and didn’t mince words when asked about the performance.
“I hate to make it personal, but for me it is personal,” Conte told the Chicago Tribune. “It feels great. I don’t want to say, ‘F--- you Chicago.’ But I want to say, ‘F--- you, Chicago.”
During his four-year tenure in Chicago, Conte appeared in 57 games and was largely lampooned by the press and fans for his poor play. The most memorable play of his Bears career occurred in a winner-take-all game against the Green Bay Packers in 2013, when Conte’s blown coverage on a pass play allowed Randall Cobb to score a long touchdown and secure an NFC North championship for the Packers.
Conte was cut loose from the Bears after Marc Trestman was fired following the 2014 season, and he has played with the Buccaneers ever since, picking up three interceptions and a return touchdown in those seasons.
