Robert Terrell, a 93-year-old avid Bears fan, watches most games on television at his longtime home on the South Side of Chicago. But that wasn't the case Sunday.
Accompanied by seven members of his family, Mr. Terrell was invited by the Bears to Soldier Field, where he watched his favorite team defeat the Saints 26-14.
Mr. Terrell moved to Chicago from Mississippi in 1940, watched the Bears win four NFL championships in the 1940s and became friends with Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Ed Sprinkle—who lived nearby. He has attended Bears games throughout the decades, including one last season, and played at Soldier Field in a 1950 high school football game.
"It was much bigger then," he said. "It had 120,000 seats when I played here."
Chloe Duverge, Mr. Terrell's granddaughter, accompanied him to Sunday's game.
"I was lucky enough to grow up in a house with my grandfather, my grandmother and my mom, so ever since I was born, we would 'Bear down,'" Chloe said.
"It's just always an amazing moment to see him at the game rooting on the team he loves. He's been up since 5 a.m. this morning—got in the shower and put on his Bears gear. It's heartwarming. It's really special to see him watch a team that he's enjoyed for decades. He's definitely responsible for the entire family being Bears fans."
When Mr. Terrell and his family arrived at Soldier Field Sunday, they were escorted inside the stadium, where they had an exclusive meet-and-greet with Staley, the team's mascot, and were given swag bags.
During halftime, the LED ribbon panels flashed the message: "The Bears welcome one of their most loyal superfans to today's game, 93-year-old Robert Terrell!"
"I enjoyed being out here," said Mr. Terrell, who wore a 1985 Bears coat to the game. "I like Soldier Field."
As somewhat of a Bears historian myself, I enjoyed meeting Mr. Terrell and discussing his lifelong fandom with him. He has witnessed so much Bears history and can recall watching Hall of Fame quarterback Sid Luckman in the 1940s, taking trips to Green Bay to see the Bears play and other memorable moments. Along with his deep knowledge of Bears history, he also follows the current team closely and is eager to see how they progress throughout the remainder of the season.
