Bears owner McCaskey steals the show

Sunday morning at the Chicago Bears’ 100th Anniversary Celebration reminded me very much of Monday mornings after the Super Bowl.

The Bears faithful were there for their “Beloved,” but the blocks-long lines just to enter the convention center and half-hour and longer waits just 16, 20 hours earlier for a hot dog or cup of coffee were gone.

The diehards were still there, though, and their loyalty was rewarded by a truly special appearance by Virginia McCaskey, followed by a 45-minute panel featuring Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy and Ted Phillips.

No human alive has had a seat closer to the stage throughout the 100-year history of the Bears and the National Football League than Mrs. McCaskey, and at 96 years young she’s still able to confirm and dispel all kinds of urban legend surrounding the game.