The Chicago Bears had a big problem. As they prepared for a showdown with the powerhouse San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, their locker room was beset with a flu epidemic. No fewer than eight players were listed with the illness designation on the injury report leading up to the game. Probably the biggest name caught in the chaos was Darnell Wright. Chicago's stud right tackle has been a fixture for their offensive success this season. He popped up on the injury report just 24 hours before game time. It was bad enough that the team chose not to bring him on the trip west. Most took that as a sign he wouldn't be playing.
Then things got interesting. According to new information, Wright arose at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, determined to make the trip. The Bears chartered a private jet for him. A lone trainer accompanied him the entire time, ensuring he received proper care. Upon landing, he rejoined the team for preparations and ended up starting the game. He did not miss a snap. That in itself was impressive. However, the fact that the Bears didn't give up a single sack on Caleb Williams and put up 440 yards of offense should make this one of the most impressive performances by any Chicago athlete in recent memory.
Darnell Wright embodies what this new Bears team is all about.
Ben Johnson said he wants to build a team that is about violence, toughness, and resilience. Nobody has lived up to that credo more than Wright. He's battled through some health issues this year and pieced together a Pro Bowl-caliber season. The Bears don't have the #3 rushing attack in the NFL without him. They don't allow just 23 sacks in 16 games without him. He is a star and also one of their most unselfish players. He wasn't obligated to play in that game. Nobody would've blamed him for resting.
He played anyway.
Ryan Poles deserves credit. He did a ton of homework on Darnell Wright. Many experts felt he was a mid-1st round pick at best. The Bears GM saw something more. He felt the big kid from Tennessee was not just a terrific athlete for his gigantic size, but also an incredible worker with a grinder mentality. Those types of guys make up winning teams. Now Wright has become an anchor for the NFC North champions.
