Trevis Gipson thought he had an idea of what he was getting into when the Chicago Bears drafted him back in April. From his perspective, it was a sweet deal. Getting picked to play in a city with fans that revere their defense. Unlike most places where quarterbacks are king, the nature of this franchise has made it where defenders are the first-class citizens.
He couldn’t wait to don navy blue and orange. However, there was one thing he wasn’t quite ready for. How serious Bears fans are about the Green Bay Packers. A rivalry born a century ago has only gotten deeper and more heated with time. Especially since the team started losing to their rivals with regularity thanks to a ridiculous run of good fortune at quarterback.
Brett Favre was bad enough, but Aaron Rodgers is even worse because he’s robbed the team of so many big opportunities. Their NFC championship in 2010. The division title in 2013. Then their hopes of a late rally to the playoffs last year. Rodgers is always the guy getting in their way. Gipson admitted on Twitter that he wasn’t quite ready for the level of hatred fans have for that man.
Trevis Gipson must embrace the hate
If Gipson is to learn anything, it’s that his newest mission in life is to sack Aaron Rodgers. All other duties are secondary. If the Bears want to get anywhere in 2020, they’ll have to go through the Packers. It’s always been that way. Rodgers is the primary reason they’ve owned the rivalry for so long now. Since the Bears offense can’t be counted on to contain him, it falls to the defense to do that for them.
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Gipson should get a great lesson from the likes of Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan. Guys who have experienced this reality since 2016. They know the struggle and will impart on the level of fire the rookie must play with in order to get after the mighty #12.
The hatred of Rodgers is so strong among fans that even the idea of him switching teams sickens them. He’s broken their hearts so many times that they can’t stomach him in a Bears uniform. Even if it meant the offense instantly improving.
That is genuine hatred.
