ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) — Chicago Bears supporters are rallying in various creative ways as they gear up for the team’s playoff showdown against the Los Angeles Rams.
Among the many enthusiastic fans, a group of teachers from the northwest suburbs is planning a special dance tribute to honor a Bears standout player.
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This season’s triumphs have injected excitement throughout the Chicago region, particularly at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, where the school shares a deep connection with the Bears.
Anticipating a big win, a team of educators and staff at St. Viator is perfecting their rendition of the iconic Super Bowl Shuffle.
The school’s dedication to the Bears is evident, especially since some faculty members once taught Bears tight end Cole Kmet during his student days. One such person is Mike Manno, who coached Kmet in baseball.
“I’ve always said this about Cole: he’s an even better person than he is an athlete, and he’s among the finest athletes out there,” Manno remarked. “He truly represents everything we stand for at St. Viator.”
St. Viator has a lot of connections to the Bears. Former Bears kicker Robbie Gould is the football coach, and Walter Payton’s son Jarrett also played there.
Cole Kmet was on the homecoming court during his time there. A few years later, he was a second-round NFL Draft choice in 2020 from Notre Dame. He has been a mainstay at tight end ever since.
Kmet played football and baseball when he was at St. Viator. In fact, they won the baseball state championship in 2017. Cole was a pitcher. His close friend Cori Korab was a teammate.
“It’s almost unbelievable he was walking through these halls with me, now the big stage in the NFL,” Korab said.
Kmet brings his baseball past to the football field after every touchdown with a celebratory home run swing.
The current student-athletes at his alma mater are watching and cheering him on.
“It’s a great connection,” St. Viator Football player Peter Lafleur said. “As a bears fan it makes me feel closer. It’s really cool knowing I’m wearing the same stuff Cole did.”
Kmet will be back there in late February. He and his baseball teammates are being inducted into the St. Viator athletic hall of fame.
“I definitely look up to Cole, not only as a great athlete, but definitely a human being,” St. Viator Baseball player Jonny Tschanz said.
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