Rookie defensive lineman Jordan van den Berg talks with ChicagoBears.com about his hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa, his chess prowess, how his grandparents' athletic success inspired him, owning two businesses and more.
What's been your first impression of Chicago?
I really like it. I like that the weather's been awesome so far. I know it will get cold, but right now, the weather has been awesome. I've been enjoying it.
What are you most excited to see or do in the city?
Definitely playing at Soldier Field. I guess that's everyone's, but, I'm not too much of a city guy. I like the suburbs.
You grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. What do you miss most about your hometown?
My family. I miss my family, and I miss the countryside out there and the animals and everything.
What's the food scene like out there?
It's a lot of meat dishes, a lot of potato dishes. It's a tradition every Saturday, Sunday, the whole family comes over and has a braai, what we call it there, but it's a barbecue. Everyone brings over food, everyone brings over meat and everyone cooks, so you have like seven or eight different meat options. It's really cool. I definitely miss that aspect.
How often do you go back?
I try to go back once a year, but I end up going more like once every two years. I prioritize my training a lot. So when you go there, it's hard. You've gotta find a trainer down there and stay up to it.
Who introduced you to football and when?
It was my friends Zach and Casey, and it was in 10th grade that I started playing. They had been playing and then I came out and started just running routes with them. So I started out as a wide receiver, and then I transitioned to the defensive side of the ball.
I was playing hockey before that. I really liked hockey, but I didn't really see a clear path to college for hockey. I was like, 'I want to do something where I've got a shot.' And I mean, I love all competitive sports and physical sports, so I was drawn to it immediately.
Were you a football fan before you started playing?
I would definitely root for my high school team. I would root for the college teams around. I was a fan, but not as much as when I started playing. Then, I became a really big fan.
Who were your sports idols growing up?
Wow, that's a hard question. I'd say it would be more South African athletes. I used to look at Dale Steyn, who was a captain for the cricket team of South Africa. Bryan Habana for rugby. In South Africa, sports are huge, so growing up we were always supporting all the sports.
You originally walked on at Iowa Western Community College. What was that experience like?
I really loved it because I was really hungry when I walked on at Iowa Western. I was trying to earn an opportunity, trying to earn a scholarship to a Power 4 program. So I'd say I was very hungry, very hungry for success.
What was your favorite college football memory?
My favorite was definitely jumping on the fumble at the end of the game when we (Georgia Tech) upset Miami. That was definitely a great memory, and then all the fans rushed the field.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I'm good at chess.
Who taught you how to play?
My grandfather.
Could you beat him?
Not when I was young, but when I got older, I could beat him.
If you didn't play football, what would your dream job be?
I would want to be a head coach of a program. I would probably want to work my way up from being a high school head coach to a college head coach then an NFL head coach.
If you could only get one in a game, would it be a pick-6 or a strip-sack for a touchdown?
Strip-sack for a touchdown. For sure.
What's your go-to hype song for a game?
I just listen to gospel music.
I read that your grandfather was a renowned bodybuilder and your grandmother was an acclaimed swimmer in South Africa. What were you able to learn from them or take from their athletic journeys?
Definitely their work ethic. I got to see their success, and I was like, 'I want to be able to leave a legacy for my kids and my grandkids. I want my grandkids to look up at me like I looked up to my grandparents.' Just the legacy of it.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I own two businesses in Georgia. I own a laundromat and a landscaping business. That one's more recent, but we've been operating and doing people's yards and small HOAs and stuff like that.
What have you been able to learn from being a business owner so young?
It definitely puts a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. I've got four full-time employees, so I have to make sure that they are alright and that we're making enough money in order to provide for them because they have a family to provide for. So I would definitely say it's helped me grow up a lot quicker.
