Top Bears pick Long has school to wrap up

LAKE FOREST | The Bears' draft picks have plenty of obstacles to overcome in the next few months while trying to fit onto the roster.

Bears Super Bowl champion receiver Willie Gault makes a local appearance

SCHERERVILLE | By the multitude of record covers he signed, you could have mistaken Bears Super Bowl champion receiver Willie Gault as more of a pop music star than a football player.

Bears add linebacker, tackle with final draft picks

LAKE FOREST, Ill. | The Bears knew they needed help at linebacker and on the offensive line, so it was no coincidence they doubled up their efforts at those spots on Saturday's final day of the NFL draft.

VU punter participates in workout with Bears

VALPARAISO | Greg Wood doesn’t expect to hear his name called during the NFL Draft later this month. The Valparaiso senior punter is only hoping for an opportunity to get into training camp.

Israel Idonije makes appearance at Valparaiso Health Center open house

VALPARAISO | They do things a little differently north of the border.

Ex-Bear Wilson makes an appearance at Bridges

GRIFFITH | "You look like you can still play," said East Chicago resident John Castillo, who marveled at the sight of a still lean and athletic-cut Otis Wilson, who made a Jan. 20 appearance at Bridges' Scoreboard Restaurant and Sports Bar.

Former T.F. North, Notre Dame star Mirko Jurkovic dies after long battle with cancer

Even being well aware that he was in a fight he likely was going to lose, former T.F. North and Notre Dame football star Mirko Jurkovic stood toe-to-toe until the end.

Bears fire coach Lovie Smith after 9 seasons

LAKE FOREST, Ill. | The Bears reached the Super Bowl under coach Lovie Smith and consistently boasted a formidable defense.

AL HAMNIK: Bears shouldn't expect a walk in the desert

I'm worried. Are you worried?

Merrillville's Neal offers 'sack' of football goodies for his family

CHICAGO | If Mike Neal were in his 10th NFL season with all the nagging injuries he's had, you'd agree it was the price athletes pay in this punishing sport.

Briggs joins Marshall in unloading on Packers

LAKE FOREST | The NFL's oldest rivals are spicing up their Sunday showdown with some serious trash talk.

JOHN DOHERTY: No love story in NFL concussion quandry

With apologies to Andy Williams, where do I begin?

Subway, Bears mascot Staley rocks Franklin Elementary with healthy message and silly antics

HAMMOND | Hundreds of Franklin Elementary students could be heard abruptly chanting "Staley, Staley, Staley" in anticipation of the Chicago Bears mascot's grand entrance into their gymnasium.

Bears' defense still in full throttle against the Lions

CHICAGO | Imagine tough guys like Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Julius Peppers getting yelled at.

AL HAMNIK: Bears' Brandon Marshall still a kid at heart at age 28

CHICAGO | Remember when your son or daughter made their first tackle, or scored their first touchdown, in Pop Warner football?

Blackhawks are only bystanders as lockout damages their franchise, NHL

CHICAGO | Patrick Kane revels in October, almost as much as he did for the month of June two years ago, when his tough-angle overtime goal in Philadelphia snared an uncommon pro sports championship for his adapted city.

Bears GM defends Cutler as franchise quarterback

LAKE FOREST | Bears general manager Phil Emery defended Jay Cutler as a franchise quarterback Wednesday and shrugged off recent sideline incidents with left tackle J'Marcus Webb and offensive coordinator Mike Tice.