Dear George McCaskey:

As the person who leads the Chicago Bears and the family that owns the sports franchise that touts itself as the most popular team in Chicago, I implore you, please sell the Bears.

I ask you this after watching your employees miserably plod their way through the workdays that we, as fans, are permitted to observe on television.

I ask you this after watching the body language and conduct of your employees as they unsuccessfully represent your organization on the field, again, during the workdays that we are permitted to observe. Heads down, hands stuck in hand warmers, dancing to celebrate a meaningless play while blowing out a knee; committing breaches of the rules on the field on a consistent basis; allowing players to attend restaurant openings instead of participating in key team meetings.

I ask you this after watching other team's employees laugh at your employees even during the middle of their workday as your team so poorly represented your family and your brand.

I ask you this as one of your senior management, the head coach, has made a season's long ritual of making "I'm smarter than the next guy" statements during multiple press conferences; statements that anyone with a shred of intelligence can see for what they are -- attempts to avoid questions, muddle issues, and try to sound like the smartest guy in the room. George -- Marc Trestman is a bumbler who can't command the one place that he should be hired to run -- a locker room. If you asked one of your employees who put on a game jersey once a week if he has respect for Marc Trestman as a leader, you and I both know the answer to that question.

Take the head coach's answer to the question at his regular Monday press conference where he was asked how he feels today about his 5 - 8 team going into the preparation for next Monday night's game against New Orleans. Here's what the man that you pay $3 million a year said, "Our players come to work every day, you wouldn’t know the record by the way the guys come into the building. We like them around because they like football." George - HE LIKES HIS PLAYERS BECAUSE THEY LIKE FOOTBALL? I like football...Can I have a job?

I ask you to sell the team because another of your senior management, the general manager, thought it was a good idea to promise $54 million of your family's money to an employee who personifies all that appears to your audience that is wrong with your product. The aforementioned head down and hands in his pockets only until it is time for him to receive a snap from center and focus on one receiver. Don't you see it?

I ask you to sell the team because your organization has managed only two Super Bowl appearances in 48 years of Super Bowls.

I recognize that the Bears represent your family's only real business. I also recognize that you're not Bob Kraft of the New England Patriots or other team owners who have other businesses that can provide a livelihood to them and to their large families. But, come on George, the Bears may fetch as much as $3 Billion on the open market and you certainly can provide for all the siblings and grandchildren at that rate.

I ask you to sell the team George because it doesn't seem that you really care enough about your product. I may be wrong, but you know what people say about perception. Your organization has been clowned 3 times on national television this season and it must be ok with you because your customers have not heard a word. Other players laughed at your product George! Don't you care?

Finally, I ask you to sell the team in my father's memory. As he lay sick and dying last November, my mother said he needed a new blanket. I knew what he would want and went to Dick's Sporting Goods and bought a Chicago Bears thermal fleece blanket to keep him warm. He smiled when he saw it but could no longer speak.

If my father could speak now, the man who took me to my first game in 1969 to watch your family's product, when the Bears finished 1 - 13, but played with their heads up and with a seeming sense of pride, would say "McCaskey, come on now, sell the Bears. We can't take it anymore."

None of us can take it anymore. Take your money and go.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John

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