iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 17h

Check out the latest Bear & Balanced from @berckes.bsky.social & @wiltfongjr.bsky.social, breaking down the #Bears vs #Eagles game with this week's categories! ☑️ Trench Tribute ☑️ Caught up in a Numbers Game ☑️ Sweet Tweets ☑️ Case's Corner! ☑️ 3 Bears 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ here! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...

podcasts.apple.com

Bear & Balanced: Bears Bully Eagles Again

Podcast Episode · 2nd City Gridiron · September 30 · 52m

041

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

ReadJack🇺🇸 @readjack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

There's a popular meme that says that the Bears franchise last sold in 1920 for $100. That's wrong. I explained why yesterday. Enjoy! @wiltfongjr.bsky.social @berckes.bsky.social @funkycoldluis.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfv8...

youtube.com

The true story of how George Halas became owner of the Chicago Bears

YouTube video by A Shot On Ehlo by Jack Silverstein

031

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

The timeline of Chicago Bears mascots (official and unofficial alike)!!! Check out the fun and interesting history of the humans inside the bear suits linked in the tweet below. #Bears 🐻 H/t to my better half for putting the timeline together.

040

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

ReadJack🇺🇸 @readjack.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Jeff's story includes never-before-published photos of original Bears mascot Frank Dain in his bearskin suit, sent over from Dain's granddaughter. Really cool Chicago history! @robertloerzel.bsky.social @rogersparkman.bsky.social @chicagorumormill.bsky.social

171

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. @wiltfongjr.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Awesome research from my guy @berckes.bsky.social in his latest at WCG about the history of the Chicago #Bears mascot. There were a few before Staley stepped into the role, and JB gives us the full timeline with some never-before-seen pictures. www.windycitygridiron.com/chicago-bear...

windycitygridiron.com

Chicago Bears Mascot History: From Mr. Bear to Staley Da Bear

From Mr. Bear to Staley Da Bear - the history of the men in costume on the sidelines for the Chicago Bears.

094

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

Kyle Thele @thele.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I love this article! Really interesting and fun look at the history of a big part of Bears culture

142

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

ReadJack🇺🇸 @readjack.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Bears fans! You won’t want to miss Jeff’s latest 🔥🔥🐻⬇️

061

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

My summer research project took me places that were incredibly fun and surprising. A real bearskin suit, NFL Films clips, a sports curse and more! #Bears fans, #NFL fans, history buffs... fans of mascots - this one is for you. 🐻 Grrr! 🐻 www.windycitygridiron.com/chicago-bear...

windycitygridiron.com

Chicago Bears Mascot History: From Mr. Bear to Staley Da Bear

From Mr. Bear to Staley Da Bear - the history of the men in costume on the sidelines for the Chicago Bears.

192

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Need Olsen on the Prime broadcast.

150

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

A much different Bear & Balanced from @berckes.bsky.social & @wiltfongjr.bsky.social today as they spent the entire show talking about football stuff they hate! 😡 #NFL #Bears 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ right here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...

podcasts.apple.com

Bear & Balanced: Football Festivus - 10 Things We Hate About Football

Podcast Episode · 2nd City Gridiron · July 25 · 1h 18m

163

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

ReadJack🇺🇸 @readjack.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Fun fact: the 1926 & 1927 New York Yankees football team had TWO players nicknamed Iceman: Red Grange and Eddie Tryon, who played pro just two years. In '26, he led the AFL in scoring, and was near the top in '27 in the NFL. @berckes.bsky.social @wiltfongjr.bsky.social @samhouseholder.bsky.social

073

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. @wiltfongjr.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Would you consider an explosive play to be one that goes 10, 16, 20 yards, or some other arbitrary distance? Every #NFL analytics or stats site should track explosives using the same parameters, and @berckes.bsky.social cracked the code for what that is. www.sbnation.com/nfl/1117824/...

sbnation.com

Explaining explosive plays, the NFL’s most nebulous important stat

Obviously explosive plays are important in the NFL, but can anyone define what they actually are?

021

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Incredibly excited to share this, from the mothership page - the best argument for defining the yardage for 💥Explosive Pass Plays 💥Explosive Run Plays Might not be what you think or what your favorite outlet has been telling you. www.sbnation.com/nfl/1117824/...

sbnation.com

Explaining explosive plays, the NFL’s most nebulous important stat

Obviously explosive plays are important in the NFL, but can anyone define what they actually are?

032

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Check out this clip of Bobby Peters talking about Ben Johnson's 2025 with the #Bears from our latest Bear & Balanced from @berckes.bsky.social & @wiltfongjr.bsky.social! youtube.com/shorts/jlCPH...

youtube.com

Ben Johnson is the real deal: Year-one review! #nfl #bears #chicagobears

YouTube video by 2nd City Gridiron

051

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

ReadJack🇺🇸 @readjack.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Fun fact: In 22 days in 1937, Bronko Nagurski competed in… 🏈 5 Bears games 🤼‍♀️ 8 wrestling matches @berckes.bsky.social @wiltfongjr.bsky.social

1113

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Good stuff from Rome! I think the color of the Viking ship sail was inspired by this great Jerry Keefe program from 1961 - first year for the Vikings. Minnesota used the gold color we're familiar with where Keefe and, well, Rome, used a more Bearsy orange #Bears

041

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

What did @berckes.bsky.social & @wiltfongjr.bsky.social come up with for their usual 🐻&⚖️ categories when applied to the #Bears draft? ☑️Trench Tribute ☑️Caught up in a numbers game ☑️Sweet Tweets ☑️The 3 Bears 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ right here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...

podcasts.apple.com

Bear & Balanced: Cooled Down Draft Thoughts

Podcast Episode · 2nd City Gridiron · May 5 · 1h

194

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Just got in a big order of Dawson's Hot Sauce - loved the Apple Caraway from the Hot Ones pack and decided to try the majority of their line. Ordered from mildest to 🥵🌶️🌶️🥵 left to right. Any with previous experience with these guys?

241

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

ReadJack🇺🇸 @readjack.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

2023 podcast with @berckes.bsky.social where we discussed Johnny Lujack's great and maddening Bears legacy following his passing at age 98. www.windycitygridiron.com/2023/7/27/23...

windycitygridiron.com

Johnny Lujack’s Place in Bears History

WCG’s resident historian talks Johnny Lujack, George Halas, and Chicago Bears lore

031

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

The #Bears picked a tight end for a second consecutive draft, and Ari Temkin and @berckes.bsky.social tell us all about Stanford's Sam Roush! 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ right here: open.spotify.com/episode/2ODm...

open.spotify.com

Chicago Bears Select TE Sam Roush from Stanford

031

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

The #Bears have the need for speed, and they filled it with Zavion Thomas (4.28)! Join @berckes.bsky.social and Ari Temkin for a quick look at Ben Johnson's newest wide receiver from LSU. 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ right here: open.spotify.com/episode/74yl...

open.spotify.com

Chicago Bears Select WR Zavion Thomas out of LSU

131

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

The #Bears wanted speed, and they got one of the fastest wideouts available in LSU's Zavion Thomas. @berckes.bsky.social and Ari Temkin with an immediate breakdown right here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW2b...

youtube.com

Chicago Bears Select Speedy WR Zavion Thomas

YouTube video by 2nd City Gridiron

041

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Immediate reaction and breakdown of the #Bears selection of Iowa center Logan Jones from Ari Temkin and @berckes.bsky.social! 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ right here: open.spotify.com/episode/3pCe...

open.spotify.com

Chicago Bears Select Logan Jones, Center from Iowa with Pick #57

051

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

The #Bears with a surprising pick of tight end Sam Roush from Stanford, and Ari Temkin and @berckes.bsky.social break it down here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg4G...

youtube.com

Chicago Bears Select Sam Roush, Tight End from Stanford

YouTube video by 2nd City Gridiron

031

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

The #Bears picked center Logan Jones from Iowa, and who better to discuss the pick than @berckes.bsky.social and Ari Temkin!? #NFLDraft #Hawkeyes www.youtube.com/watch?v=u42N...

youtube.com

Chicago Bears Draft C Logan Jones from Iowa with Pick 57

YouTube video by 2nd City Gridiron

041

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

The Chicago #Bears took versatile Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick in the 1st round of the #NFLDraft, and @berckes.bsky.social and Bryan Orenchuk break it down! 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ right here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...

podcasts.apple.com

Bears Select Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon

Podcast Episode · 2nd City Gridiron · April 24 · 10m

0133

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Check out the video version of our quick reaction breakdown of the #Bears drafting Oregon safety, Dillon Thieneman, from @berckes.bsky.social and Bryan Orenchuk. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfHw...

youtube.com

Bears Select Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon

YouTube video by 2nd City Gridiron

051

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

ReadJack🇺🇸 @readjack.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

How one future Bears player was advised on defending Jackie Robinson on the gridiron? “Tell Young he better strap a rocket on his ass…” @berckes.bsky.social @profloumoore.bsky.social

142

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. @wiltfongjr.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Red Grange, The Galloping Ghost, enters the conversation as the first Iceman, calling out George Gervin in this WCG Exclusive from @berckes.bsky.social! #Bears #NFL www.windycitygridiron.com/chicago-bear...

windycitygridiron.com

WCG Exclusive: Galloping Ghost to Challenge George Gervin for Iceman

Red Grange, The Galloping Ghost, enters the conversation as the first Iceman, calling out George Gervin.

195

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

ReadJack🇺🇸 @readjack.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Per PFR... One player in NFL history with the last name Galimore One player in NFL history with the last name Gallimore @wiltfongjr.bsky.social @berckes.bsky.social @samhouseholder.bsky.social @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social

1114

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Haven't bought a jersey in a hot minute but a former #Hawkeyes center signing with the #Bears?! That would probably be an auto purchase...

020

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Plenty of #Bears buzz coming out of the #NFLCombine and @kdthompson5.bsky.social joins @berckes.bsky.social & @wiltfongjr.bsky.social on their latest Bear & Balanced to let them know all about everything he saw in Indianapolis. 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ right here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...

podcasts.apple.com

Bear & Balanced: Khari Thompson joins to break down the NFL Combine!

Podcast Episode · 2nd City Gridiron · March 3 · 1h 3m

084

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

New favorite athlete just dropped

010

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Plenty of #Bears talk from @berckes.bsky.social and @wiltfongjr.bsky.social with the Spain game buzz, #NFL free agency right around the corner, coaching staff changes, and more!!! 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ right here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...

podcasts.apple.com

Bear & Balanced: Front Office Departures & Free Agency Outlook

Podcast Episode · 2nd City Gridiron · 02/03/2026 · 1h

072

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Lester and I are looking to get on the mic a little more regularly this off season compared to last year now that we've got a confirmed winner on our hands

281

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Monday at 6 pm CT join @berckes.bsky.social and @wiltfongjr.bsky.social for some #Bears talk, some coaching and front office recap, and a look forward to free agency! www.youtube.com/live/ujXLyew...

youtube.com

Bear & Balanced: Chicago Bears Offseason Moves

YouTube video by 2nd City Gridiron

032

Jeff Berckes @berckes.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

I'd say Al Michaels but he's basically muted himself the last few years...

210

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Check out the video of our latest episode in our ‘85 at 40 series spotlighting the greatest team in the history of sports! #Bears legend Jay Hilgenberg joins @billtzimmerman.bsky.social and @berckes.bsky.social to talk about center play, the Packers rivalry, and more! youtu.be/jSsE16tfh_U?...

youtu.be

'85 at 40: Bears legend Jay Hilgenberg talks SBXX, the Packers rivalry, and more

YouTube video by 2nd City Gridiron

042

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Our '85 at 40 series rolls on, and this time, @billtzimmerman.bsky.social and @berckes.bsky.social talked with #Bears legendary offensive lineman Jay Hilgenberg about their fantastic team, the Packers rivalry, and so much more! 🐻⬇️&🔊⬆️ right here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...

podcasts.apple.com

'85 at 40: Jay Hilgenberg joins!

Podcast Episode · 2nd City Gridiron · 12/20/2025 · 45m

052

Reposted by Jeff Berckes

2nd City Gridiron @2ndcitygridiron.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Always a fun time taking about a #Bears win, and with it coming in blowout fashion, the scales tip way more positively this week! @berckes.bsky.social & @wiltfongjr.bsky.social talk about the game with all their usual 🐻&⚖️ categories! www.youtube.com/live/W7dWBqY...

youtube.com

Bear & Balanced: Bears Back in First Place With Win Over Browns

YouTube video by 2nd City Gridiron

084