Waddle - A Real Class Act!

I am from the Chicagoland area. And growing up in the city limits of Chicago it is no big surprise that I am a Bears fan. Now, if you are a Bears fan you no doubt know the name Tom Waddle. The guy was probably the most sure handed receiver that ANY team has had at the position during the 90's and without a doubt probably during this era as well. He was a small guy, and not the fastest either. But when you threw the ball to him it was a guaranteed catch. Over the middle with two or more cornerbacks targeting him, knowing he would get creamed, he would still make the catch. I remember one game he got knocked unconscious 2 or 3 times and still came back in the game to make catch after catch. Including the game winner right after needing smelling salts to get back on his feet.

Anyway... as I was running around this morning doing my daily routine, I was listening to ESPN Radio 1000 and a show that he co-hosts with another gentleman. Well they were talking about a listener who had wrote an email to the show. This listener was on his way to Miami with a few friends to catch the Bears vs. Dolphins game taking place this Thursday. Well this guy was trying for what seems to be the last week or so to purchase a Wadldle jersey from a couple different online shops so that he would have it in time for the trip to Miami.

Sadly all the places he had tried could not get a jersey to him in time. The closest anyone could do was to have it to him by Friday, and obviously this was too late. So this guy wrote into the show hoping that his story would get the guys (Waddle and Silverman) to help him maybe find a jersey in time for the trip. And here is where Tom Waddle steps in to be the hero!

After hearing this guys dilemma, Waddle proceeds to tell him that he has only one jersey remaining from his playing days. It is one of the throwback jerseys that the Bears wear on occasion. And although many people don't like the style of those jerseys, Waddle did like them so he had always made sure to hold on to that jersey over the years. Not only did Waddle just have only this one jersey as a memento of his time in the NFL, but he really did not have much more except maybe a helmet or two. But, since this fan was looking for a Waddle jersey and was striking out everywhere, Mr. Waddle tells him that if he can make it down to the station he will borrow the jersey to him so he can make the trip to Miami for the Bears game just as he had planned - sporting a Tom Waddle #87 Bears jersey!! Now if this isn't cool, I don't know what is!

When is the last time that you have heard of, or seen a past NFL player act in such a selfless manner? This jersey is without a doubt worth about $400 at least. And while it is not a high priced and high profile star of the league, it is still something that is dear to this guys heart and one of his last remaining memories of his days as a player in the NFL. And Waddle does not even know this guy! He is just some guy out of the  blue that happens to be a fan of his radio show. And Waddle is going to lend him something that holds that much value to him? That is just ridiculously cool of him. This guy is truly a class act in my opinion. If more people would even do half of what Mr. Waddle is doing for this fan the world would be a better place!