Live from Liverpool: Postcards with Josh Blackwell | Monday, June 22
As told to Gabby Hajduk

Cornerback and special teams ace Josh Blackwell is in Liverpool for the Bears' 2026 UK summer tour. Check out Blackwell's postcard to learn about his experience meeting UK Bears fans at historic Royal Albert Dock Sunday, why he's excited for the youth football clinics this week and what he took away from being at the Bears' UK girls flag football league championships in Loughborough.

Hey Bears fans,

It's Josh here and I'm in Liverpool this week with the team. It's only my second time in the UK and first without a football game to focus on.

Honestly, I'm having a great time. Everyone here is super friendly. All the locals keep saying we brought the good weather with us, so it's been incredible. I'm loving it.

On Sunday, I got to meet a bunch of our UK fans at the Royal Albert Dock. The Bears were hosting a fan event where people could come take pictures, meet Peanut (Tillman) and me and hang out with Staley. It was so much fun.

The UK fans brought a lot of energy. Everyone kept saying how thankful they were for the opportunity to meet us, and I felt the same way meeting them. Everyone was super nice and just asking me questions about the NFL, American football and Chicago.

I had some really special interactions with a few of our young fans, too. One little boy made me a card with a drawing of myself and on the inside he wrote "Welcome to Liverpool."

Then there was this group of three boys — Jimmy, John and Buster — who made my day.

They said they were fans of mine and it's just crazy to think, "People know who I am? Like thousands of miles away from home?" It was really cool, so shoutout to Jimmy, John and Buster.

I also got to spend some time with Kymie, who was our International Fan of the Year a couple of seasons ago. I was blown away by how well she knows her stuff, whether it's current players, alumni, the history of the team, different moments from our seasons. It was impressive.

I was surprised by how many diehard fans we have in the UK. It really is the same as back home. Bears fans just take a lot of pride in the team no matter where they're from or where they live now.

Obviously, we met some people who were general NFL fans or some who have never watched American football, but it was exciting to see them wanting to learn about why the Bears were in Liverpool and who we were. I'm sure we added some new Bears fans to the family.

Peanut is also here in Liverpool and being able to spend some time with him Sunday at the dock was really cool. I told him I don't think he gives himself enough credit for who he is and what he means to the football space, especially for my generation. We grew up watching him and he changed the game with the "Peanut Punch."

10-year-old me would never believe I'd be in a space like this with him as a peer. It's been really special to get to know him and see how genuine and cool he is.

Peanut and I also spent some time with one of Liverpool Football Club's legends, Robbie Fowler. He came out to the dock to meet fans as well and he gifted me a custom Liverpool jersey. That was such a cool moment because it's my first ever Premier League jersey. Liverpool should know they have a new fan for life.

We're also in Liverpool for youth flag football clinics that the team is hosting. I'm really excited to help out and provide any insight I can. Any way I can help inspire the next generation, I am all for it.

A few days ago in Loughborough, I got a little glimpse into how big American football is becoming over here. My first day over here, I went to the Bears' UK girls flag football league championships to support and really learned a ton.

It's incredible how much of an impact we're making in the UK with flag football, especially for girls and women. Everything about it — you can see the work that's gone into over the years. I could really see how much fun the girls were having and how much even the coaches and refs have gotten into it. It's really a special thing we've got going on with flag football and I'm honestly just grateful to be a part of it in any capacity.

This trip has been such an unbelievable opportunity. When the Bears asked me to come, I was honestly so excited. And now that I'm here, it's even better than what I expected. It's been a blast interacting with the fans, trying new fans and just seeing new places. I'm really having the best time.

- Josh