James Gowers
UK
Hello! Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is James Gowers. I am 25 years old and I'm from a city in the UK called Milton Keynes which is famous for its concrete cows and many roundabouts.
It's the honour of a lifetime to be selected as the very first international fan of the year representing the Chicago Bears and I'd love to share my story with you.
As a die-hard Chicago Bears fan in the UK, my passion for the team runs deep. Despite being from across the pond, I've fully immersed myself in the rich history and culture of the Bears, from the legendary players to encapsulating the DNA of the team. For the past 10 years through thick and thin, I've followed every game, even if it's at ridiculous o'clock in the UK, fully feeling the highs of victory and the lows of defeat alongside my fellow UK Bears fans and more often than not you'll proudly find me dawning the famous navy and orange.
My dedication to this amazing team transcends across the globe. I have had the pleasure of watching the Bears in action both at Soldier Field, and at the first ever game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London. I was also lucky enough to attend the Bears 100 year celebration event in Chicago, where I connected with so many fans!
I also make sure to attend any UK based NFL fan event from fan meet ups, game watch a longs and major events like to the one at Battersea power station where I got to put my skills to the test in the mini combine.
Being a Bears fan is not just a hobby—it's a way of life and something that'll be with me forever.
Thank you for choosing me to represent the Chicago Bears. I will be sure to do all you international Bears fans proud. Bear Down!