Matt Forte's season ended Tuesday when the Bears placed him on injured reserve but the day brought some good news as the running back was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
Forte becomes the first offensive player general manager Jerry Angelo has drafted in 10 years to be selected to the all-star game, although he can't play because he was placed on IR with a sprained MCL in his right knee. Angelo now has selected eight Pro Bowl players in the last nine drafts.
Forte was one of five Bears players named to the NFC squad, joining linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, cornerback Charles Tillman and special teamer Corey Graham. Like Forte, Tillman and Graham are first-time selections.
Of course, the Bears are in the midst of a 5 game losing streak and are headed home after Sunday's final regular season game. We're sure that each of these selections would give it all up for a healthy lineup and a shot a the playoffs.
In the meantime, on the other side of town:
- It took the Blackhawks 36 games to reach the 50-point mark. The last time they did it in 36 contests was in 2009, the season that ended with the Hawks hoisting the Stanley Cup.
Let the comparisons begin.