“With the 11th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select…”

These are the words every football player dreams of hearing.  This Thursday, dreams will become reality, as 256 young men will become members of the National Football League.  Their work, dedication, struggle, and confidence has finally paid off.  No matter which team selects them, every player chosen will be relieved and grateful that he has the opportunity to play football at the highest level.

The Chicago Bears are selecting their first player at pick 11, and whoever that is should be thankful that they get to play for such a first-class franchise.  Here are three reasons why:

3.)  Bears fans are among the most passionate in football. Rain or shine, sleet or hail, Soldier Field is always completely filled with lifelong Bears fans who believe they can win every game.  The stadium is always loud and proud, and tailgaters swarm the parking lots several hours before each game.  The smells of barbecue and the sounds of pigskin colliding on hands is a pastime in Chicago.

2.) The organization is filled with rich history.  The Bears have one of the oldest franchises in the sport, going all the way back to 1920, and can boast of famous Bears such as Walter Peyton, Mike Ditka, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, and Brian Urlacher.  They also have a 1985 Super Bowl Championship, for which that team is often recognized as one of the best of all time.  The team is also a part of the most famous rivalry in professional football: the Packers and the Bears.  Fans of both organizations have appreciated the rivalry for decades, and Packer fans are still frowned upon in the Windy City.

1.)  The team is very close to contending. After an improved 2015 season with a record of 6-10, John Fox seems to be taking the team in the right direction.  During a career year from quarterback Jay Cutler, the Bears’ offense looked very solid.  There is room for improvement in the offensive line, but that can always be addressed in the draft.  The other side of the ball is drastically improving as well, with defensive free agency signings of linebacker Danny Trevathan and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks.  The team is also looking for some lineman who can rush the quarterback in the early rounds of this year’s draft, so the defense can be even scarier.

Regardless of who the Bears select, Bear Down nation will welcome him with open arms.