CHICAGO – Lance Briggs threw out the ceremonial first pitch and sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch of the Cubs-Pirates game Friday. But the Bears linebacker wasn’t the only one who enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Wrigley Field.

Briggs brought 11 children from Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois with him to the ballpark, taking them on the field before the game and then later up to a private suite to watch the action.

Founded in 1977, Boys Hope Girls Hope is a privately funded, non-profit, multi-denominational organization that provides at-risk children with a stable home, positive parenting, high quality education and the support they need to reach their full potential. Many of the kids come from home environments marked by drug abuse, poverty or neglect.

Lance Briggs fires the ceremonial first pitch before Friday's Cubs-Pirates game at Wrigley Field.

“A lot of these kids have never been out to see a baseball game like this in person,” Briggs said. “To come out here on the field is real special for not only them but for me too.”

Briggs was touched while watching a short video about the kids from Boys Hope Girls Hope en route to the game. The organization is unique in that it places children in non-institutional, family-like homes staffed with live-in residential counselors, supports children financially and emotionally through college and beyond and is funded exclusively through private donations. 

“Some of the kids are from Africa, some are from Cabrini Green [in Chicago],” Briggs said. “The kids that are here are being rewarded for good grades, citizenship and attendance.

“A lot of these kids have never been here. One of them said, ‘Man, I’m going to Wrigley Field today to see a real baseball game with Lance Briggs.’ Just to hear that comment is special.”

Having pledged $1,000 to Boys Hope Girls Hope for each home run hit by the Cubs on Friday, Briggs will donate $4,000 after Alfonso Soriano belted two homers and Geovany Soto and Mark DeRosa hit one apiece as the first-place Cubs defeated the Pirates 7-4.
 
Wearing a No. 55 Cubs jersey with his last name on the back, Briggs spoke briefly with Cubs manager Lou Piniella, coaches Alan Trammell and Matt Sinatro, and players DeRosa, Derrek Lee, Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot before the game.

Briggs also answered questions from reporters about his absence from the Bears' offseason program and teammate Brian Urlacher’s contract situation.

Briggs said that he’s been working out near his home in Arizona and not Chicago because he’s had to deal with some family issues and he’s looking forward to rejoining his teammates Monday when the Bears conduct their first organized team activity (OTA) practice at Halas Hall.

Asked why Bears fans should be excited about the 2008 season, Briggs said: “I think you have a team that knows how to get it done. If we have a healthy team, we have one of the best shots I think in the NFL.”

After going through his own contract squabble a year ago, Briggs signed a lucrative six-year extension in March.

“It’s huge because right now all I can do is focus on winning,” he said. “Last year the business side took a little of that away, and unfortunately some of my brethren are going through it right now. But for me, all I can do is focus on just being a leader.”

Briggs expressed optimism that Urlacher’s contract situation will be resolved.

“Brian has meant the world to this organization,” Briggs said. “Everybody in the city of Chicago and everybody in America knows what Brian Urlacher means to the Chicago Bears organization, so I hope that gets worked out, and it will.

“I just couldn’t see the Chicago Bears without Urlacher. Whatever’s going on between him and the organization, I think it’ll be worked out and I’ll be happy to be playing next to him again.”