George McCaskey Made Amazingly Classy Speech To Bears Locker Room

The NFL world stopped on Monday night, January 2nd. It looked like just another football play. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins lowered his shoulder and barrelled into the chest of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Nothing seemed amiss. Hamlin even got up after the play. Then, out of nowhere, he collapsed. Medical personnel rushed onto the field, realizing something was wrong. It was soon revealed Hamlin had suffered a cardiac arrest and required CPR to resuscitate. He was rushed to the hospital, where he's been on life support. It was a traumatic situation for everybody in the building and everyone watching at home, including Chicago Bears players. Team chairman George McCaskey recognized that right away.

Nobody wants to be confronted with the harsh reality of how dangerous football is. It's a violent sport. Dangerous accidents like Hamlin's are possible. It is something that can make a man question his choices. Running back David Montgomery knows this better than most. He plays the game hard, never shying away from contact. Watching Hamlin was admittedly tough for him. However, he revealed McCaskey spoke to the locker room, assuring everybody they had full support from the organization on whatever they felt. There will be no punishments for speaking candidly about the incident.

George McCaskey continues to do the right thing.

People are free to criticize his football decisions. He's made his fair share of mistakes over the years. Yet nobody can say the man lacks compassion. He is a first-rate human being. McCaskey is a constant advocate for improving minority opportunities in the NFL. He supports LGBTQ rights and several other charity pursuits. One could only wish other owners around the league had his morals. If that weren't enough, he's proven over the past decade that the idea Bears ownership is cheap is nowhere close to correct.

This latest gesture cements him as someone worthy of respect. Criticize George McCaskey the chairman, if you wish, but never criticize the man. The Bears continue preparing for their season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. It looks like it could get ugly. Justin Fields was already declared out for the game. Teven Jenkins went on Injured Reserve. Few of their best players this season will play. It should be another loss. However, the consequences could be very positive, with the #1 pick still up for grabs.