Week 10

Daniel's Tailgate

In honor of the Bears’ Salute to Service game, Daniel dedicated his weekly tailgate at the Waldron Deck to his family and friends that have served in various branches of the military. As a newer tailgate host, Daniel has had his fair share of learnings throughout the last few years. He’s now adamant about arriving right when the lot opens, prepping his setup the night before and continuing the tailgate postgame.

“My brother served in the Marine Corps. My best friend in the U.S. Navy. My wife’s brother, Army. I do this for the veterans. I really want to show my appreciation, hence why I’m grilling, cooking, doing everything. I’m not letting them do anything but enjoy themselves.”

“We’ve been tailgating for four years. It was a rough start, I’m not gonna lie. We used to come a lot later, but eventually you start picking up on the rookie mistakes and you start learning. We have a great time while we’re here.”

Week 10

Nic's Tailgate

Ten years ago, Nic and his friends Luke and Ronnie discovered the ultimate addition to their tailgate, a small school bus which they have since decked out in Bears photos, family portraits and Chicago tributes. Nic brings the bus to either Burnham Harbor or the South Lot for each home game and hosts 50-60 friends — plus any stragglers that stop by — to continue a family tradition that his parents introduced him to as a kid in the 1980s.

“We saw a school bus and we were like, ‘let’s turn it into a Bears bus and go tailgate.’ Our parents always tailgated, so we followed them and now we do it every week.”

“We have planning meetings Wednesday nights at Cordial Inn in Brookfield. My wife, Jen, does all the work. We get all the food Friday night and prep it all Saturday then have it here for everyone Sunday.”