Make no mistake. Chicago is one of the greatest sports cities on the planet. However, playing for it is not easy. Those who delivered greatness to it are rewarded with immortality and adulation. Those that disappointed are forever cast down into the pits of the forgotten. The city doesn't give away such gifts for free. They must be earned. Jim McMahon understands that better than most as he advised Mitch Trubisky.
The two quarterbacks got together for the first time at the Bears 100th anniversary celebration in Rosemont. Their panel was one of the highlights of the entire event. McMahon kicked things off by giving Trubisky his own headband and shades. Two staples the of the Punky QB during his heyday in the 1980s. That done, he entertained everybody with his near limitless supply of memorable stories.
In the midst of that fun though, McMahon took another opportunity. He made sure to give Trubisky the best advice on how to succeed in Chicago he could. The Chicago Tribune and others caught every meaningful word.
“I think the two things in Chicago are that you just have to play with a lot of confidence. And then you have to have thick skin,” Trubisky said. “You just have to continue to give it your all, improve your game and put your heart into this and into practices. Love the fans, wins games and they’ll love you back.”
McMahon added to that insight later, reminding Trubisky of the golden opportunity he has.
“This town has always been a Bear town and it’s always going to be a Bear town,” McMahon said. “I think this is a hard-working town. And these fans appreciate hard-working players. And they know who plays hard and who doesn’t. If you play hard for Chicago, they’ll love you. And if you play hard and win, they’ll love you forever.”
Mitch Trubisky already understands the value of thick skin
No quarterback in the past couple of years has come under as much scrutiny as Trubisky. It really is remarkable. Here's a young man who threw six touchdowns in a game and had the most efficient passing season in modern Bears history and people treat him as if he's on the cusp of utter failure. Some in Chicago feel this way but it's even louder abroad.
People laugh at the idea that Trubisky is or can ever be good.
Truth be told McMahon experienced a lot of the same stuff. His first years in Chicago were hardly smooth sailing. He suffered injury setbacks and wasn't always crisp in his execution. Yet he persevered. He tuned out the critics, did things his own way and by 1985 was a Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion. Today he's celebrated as one of the best ever in Bears history.
Hard to believe when one were to look at his numbers. That is the value of winning. He knows this. The fancy stats don't mean jack. People remember the guys who won.
