COVID-19 has had some wild impacts on the sports world. When the Chicago Bears traded for Nick Foles two weeks ago, one would imagine the first people to interview him would’ve been Jeff Joniak or Larry Mayer. Guys with direct connections to the organization. Yet the virus problem made that difficult. In the end, it was Chase Daniel of all people who ended up getting that opportunity. The same person who just signed a contract to become backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions.
Life is weird.
The interview itself was great. While the two didn’t get deep into football stuff, it still illustrated the type of person Foles is. The epitome of class and easy to like. One of the most interesting nuggets to come out of it was when Daniel asked him about his college career. One that saw him transfer from his original school of Michigan State to the one where he made his name at Arizona.
It turns out there is a unique tradition at that school that Bears fans will love.
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Nick Foles could uphold a new tradition for the Bears
This isn’t just some random thing. In recent years, players who come out of Arizona that ended up in Chicago tend to become decent contributors. Sean Harris had three decent years for them at linebacker in the late 1990s. Bobby Wade was a strong special teamer and occasional receiver for them in the 2000s. Then, of course, there was Lance Briggs. One of the best outside linebackers in Bears history.
So yeah, Arizona alumni tend to like Chicago. They feel a sort of connection to it. That motto is certainly one example of why. Foles certainly comes in without much pressure. All of that is squarely on the shoulders of his competition, Mitch Trubisky. He knows the offense. He knows the coaching staff. All he has to do is execute the way he knows how and the odds are he’ll be the starter whenever the season kicks off.
Hopefully, some of that Arizona mojo will come back to him.
