What $500.00 bought in 1963.

Before they fill the stadiums, they step on the local fields that line their path to potential greatness; both on and off the gridiron.

Football is of high interest right now as the Chicago Bears prepare for the next step toward the “Super Bowl.” Not an easy task to accomplish, and you can be sure the Green Bay Packers have similar

thinking---both teams are now preparing for the 3^rd game they are facing one another this year and their first post-season match up since December 14, 1941.

But before they would walk on the field at Cowboys Stadium on February 6 for Super Bowl XLV, every one of the players has visualized this moment since they were young boys. That’s one of the greatest appeals of this magical moment in their careers, and the topic of today’s “Our Town.”

When school ends in early June, it’s only a matter of moments before the baseballs are tossed in the bag and footballs come out. This is a sport that stresses learning the basic fundamentals of the sport, teamwork, safety and fun. Without “fun” there really is little reason to participate; with all of the work you go through before the first game, they have to be passionate about the sport.  Fortunately when you talk to the players, of any age, they all say they are having fun. (More fun when they win, just being honest.)

In Glen Ellyn, we have the Glen Ellyn Golden Eagles---they are one of 14 teams (made up of all ages) that are part of the Bill George Youth Football League.

So who was Bill George?

Bill George was not the organizer of the league, it was actually another man named “Bill”---Bill Pope. Mr. George played for the Chicago Bears and was part of their 1963 Championship team. What’s interesting about the story is...when Bill Pope approached 3 of the Bears linebackers from the Championship team to help build awareness of the program (Bill George, Joe Fortunato and Larry Morris) only Bill George gave the agreed upon cash contribution of $500.00. Don’t worry, Bill Pope has been well recognized by the Glen Ellyn Park District by having his name on the football field at Newton Park---it is appropriately known as “Bill Pope Field.” (He was also the driving force in building the league!)

So how important is the Bill George Youth Football League to our community? Ask any of the coaches at local high schools and they will be more than happy to confirm this is the first step to a successful experience in the game. 

The odds are not great that many of today’s local players will be in the NFL, but in the end, learning teamwork, the fundamentals of the game, and having fun, is the greatest investment you can make for the  kids in “Our Town.”

Thanks for stopping by.