Pro Bowl Postcards: Kevin Byard III | Sunday, Feb. 1
As told to Gabby Hajduk
The Bears have four players — offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman and defensive backs Nahshon Wright and Kevin Byard III — participating in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games this week in San Francisco. Check out Byard's postcard from the first NFC practice to hear about his plans for the week, experiencing Wright's first time at the Pro Bowl and more.
What's up Bears fans, it's Kevin Byard here checking in from San Fran. Me and the family flew in from Nashville yesterday. After we settled in, we got to see a bunch of the guys at the reception last night, which is always cool.
This is my third Pro Bowl Games and my first time back in it since 2021. I remember back at that one my daughter, Eliana, and my first son, Kevin IV, were so little. My wife, Clarke, and I were just pushing them around in the stroller all day. My first Pro Bowl was in 2017, which was just me and my wife.
Now, we have our youngest son, Amari, so this one will definitely be special for the five of us to share this experience. One of the best parts is having my kids here with me, to see them running around after practice and for them to see their dad on a stage like this. Moments like these are always cool. Having our families here is definitely one of the best things about the Pro Bowl.
Obviously, we're here to play in the actual Pro Bowl Games Tuesday. Us NFC guys gotta defend the title and leave San Fran with a win. We had our first team practice this morning, which was mainly just a walk-through. Still, it was nice being back on the field with Shonny, Drew and Joe, and then chopping it up with some former teammates and other guys around the league that I don't really get a chance to talk to or see much in season.
It's cool to just be out here with the best players in the league. Being at the Pro Bowl is always a proud accomplishment and just a fun way to cap off a great season in Chicago not only for myself, but for Shonny, Drew and Joe as well.
We all had some fun out there today, just talking some smack with the guys and messing around. Probably the most embarrassing thing that could've happened out there happened to me when I completely fell down on my backpedal. That's what happens when you don't have the proper footwear on. And now it's obvious that the season's been over for a couple weeks, because I'm clearly a bit rusty.
All joking aside, I'm just happy to be here and excited for the next couple days. It's really special that I can also share this experience with Shonny, because it's his first time being at the Pro Bowl. And he grew up like 30 or 40 minutes from San Francisco, so this is basically his hometown.
I was telling him that I still remember my first time getting in and just basically said to make sure he's soaking everything up because it's special to be a part of this group. And it honestly motivates you for the next year to make sure you continue to come back here and be part of the fun.
I know we've got another practice tomorrow and then the competition Tuesday, so looking forward to that, and then just excited to explore the city with my family and see them have a good time as well.
As always, we appreciate your support this week and this season. Bear Down!
- KB
