Fan for life despite Chicago's loss

Chad Deakin stuck on Bears, and they're stuck on him

Monday, February 5, 2007

By CIGI ROSS

The Register-Mail

Drinking beer and watching the Chicago Bears is a typical Sunday for Chad Deakin.

But yesterday was a little different. Deakin was watching the Bears play in the Super Bowl for the second time in his 27 years.

Deakin spent this Super Bowl at the Cocoa Lounge, a game room between McGillacuddy's and Pookie's Coffee Bar, watching his Bears play on a flat screen with surround sound. As the NFC champions were announced Deakin and his friends stood and clapped their hands.

"I'm pretty nervous," Deakin said before the start of the game. "But I really think we're gonna win."

"Oh yeah, baby!" shouted one of the navy and orange-clad fans.

Peyton Manning was announced to a round of guttural boos.

Devin Hester's opening kickoff return for the first touchdown of the game received a standing ovation and high fives from the raucous fans.

"One of my first memories is watching the Bears in their last Super Bowl," Deakin said at halftime.

Deakin's orange hair matched the color of his Brian Urlacher jersey.

"Urlacher (is my favorite player) by far," Deakin said. "The way he plays, and the way he leads the team. ... He doesn't talk a lot of crap like everybody else, like Chad Johnson or Terrell Owens. He just keeps his mouth shut and does his job."

Deakin is a cook at McGillacuddy's and watches most Bears games from the kitchen - unless he can get tickets to home games.

He said there were only three games he didn't see, all losses for the Bears - Miami, Green Bay and New England.

"You might call me a big fan," Deakin said as he pulled up the sleeve on his right arm, revealing a large blue and orange Bears logo tattoo. "If they end up winning this game I think I'm gonna get another one. Maybe the Super Bowl logo for this year or their trophy."

But Deakin won't be getting that tattoo this year.

He knew the game was over after Rex Grossman's interception was returned for a 56-yard touchdown by Kelvin Hayden with 11:44 left in the game.

"When it was 22-17 and (Indianapolis) scored again, yup, I pretty much knew it was over," Deakin said. "It was like a totally different attitude. We were all quiet. It was pretty sad."

Deakin said he was tempted to turn the TV off before the game was through.

"I just didn't want to watch it anymore," he said.

After it was all over the group of fans consoled each other with hugs and condolences that maybe next year would be their year.

Despite the disappointing loss, Deakin remains loyal to his team. He's a fan for life.

"I have to be," he said. "I'm branded for life."