Ben Johnson knew that if he was going to get the Chicago Bears into a winning mindset, he'd have to train them both physically and mentally. It is difficult for an organization to overcome years of losing. Since it happens so often, players have a tendency just to accept it after a while. That is why many head coaches struggle to snap them out of it. Once the mentality sinks in, it's hard to break. Thankfully, it appears the Bears realized he and the coaching staff would need help.
So they made a rather unique addition to Halas Hall. According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the Bears have hired Andy Riise as their new Mental Performance and Leadership Coordinator. Riise served as a field artillery officer in the United States Army. He won two Bronze Stars for his service in Afghanistan and Iraq and also served in Special Forces. His work led him to psychology, where he helped prevent soldier suicides. This led him to earn positions at various prestigious companies as a mental performance coach and psychological expert.
Chicago Bears has brought some serious gravitas to the organization.
Riise may not be a football player, but he certainly knows what it's like to operate under high-pressure conditions and what that can do to a person's psyche. Professional athletes deal with this more than most. Their livelihoods are at stake if they don't perform at a high level and win games. Dealing with that is something Riise knows well. He faced high-stakes situations for 20 years in the army. He served with people who took their own lives and those of others in their hands every day. It takes a certain type of mental fortitude to handle that. His job was to help teach others how to cope with the challenges they face. The Bears have spent years stuck in a persistent fog, beaten down by so many brutal setbacks:
- The NFC championship loss to Green Bay
- Cutler breaking his thumb
- Rodgers to Cobb
- The Double Doink
- The Hail Mary
One gut punch after another. Only resilient people can overcome such hurdles to reach their ultimate goal of becoming champions. That is what the Chicago Bears seek. Riise will be an excellent asset in helping make that happen.
