We're lucky enough to have Sun-Times reporter Dave Newbart's words and pictures this evening. It's just what the doctor ordered after a three-day gap in coverage. We promise not to get that lazy on you again.Ten bucks says you'll never love the Bears as much as the guy after the jump.
BY DAVE NEWBART
There might not be a more down-to-earth future NFL Hall-of-Famer than Ruben Brown. Brown, who played four seasons for the Bears and helped push them to the Super Bowl, has moved back to Buffalo, where he played nine great seasons for the Bills. But he's still well-loved among Bears fans and players and gets back to town frequently - primarily for Ruben Brown's Motorcycle Run, a charity ride that raises cash for the Salvation Army.
Sunday, the third year of the run in Chicago, saw more than 300 riders following Brown as he rode 100 miles on his vintage yellow bike with side-car from far North Suburban Woodstock to Elkhorn, Wis. and eventually to Island Lake. During an after-ride bash at Sideouts Bar & Eatery, Brown hung out with riders and diehard Bears fans, like Glenn Timmermann, 45, a Round Lake Beach factory manager who has covered his body in Bears-related tattoos. He has 92 autographs inked on to him permanently, highlighted by Da Coach's signature across the back of his skull.
Chris Zorich, another former Bear who now spends a lot of time raising money for charity, was also on-hand. The event was headlined by local power blues great Wayne Baker Brooks (son of the legendary Lonnie Brooks), who gave a few lessons to 9-year-old budding blues phenom Tallan Latz, of Elkhorn, Wis.
Brown notes that despite all his years playing pro ball in New York and in college in Pittsburgh, he is still best recognized by the legion of Bears fans around the world. "They're everywhere,'' he says. Even his two sons have split allegiances, with one rooting for the Bears and another cheering for the Bills.
Sunday's ride raised more than $15,000 for the local Salvation Army. As Brown says, "I benefited from the Salvation Army when I was a kid, and now I'm giving back.''
Rube, as his friends call him, will lead two more rides this month: this Sunday, June 7, in Lynchburg, Va. (where Brown grew up) and June 28 in Buffalo. For that last ride Brown expects 3,000 bikers.
For more information or to make a donation visit www.rubensrun.com.
***HERE ARE SOME MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT:
Glenn Timmermann shows off his Walter Payton ink on his leg.
Timmerman shows off his permanent autographs.
Former Chicago Bear Chris Zorich and Jerry DeLaurentis,
owner of Sideouts Bar & Eatery in Island Lake, hang out.
Bikers cruised in a wide variety of bikes.
Blues great Wayne Baker Brooks performs with Tallan Latz, 9, after the ride.
Chris Zorich, another former Bear who now spends a lot of time raising money for charity, was also on-hand. The event was headlined by local power blues great Wayne Baker Brooks (son of the legendary Lonnie Brooks), who gave a few lessons to 9-year-old budding blues phenom Tallan Latz, of Elkhorn, Wis.Brown notes that despite all his years playing pro ball in New York and in college in Pittsburgh, he is still best recognized by the legion of Bears fans around the world. "They're everywhere,'' he says. Even his two sons have split allegiances, with one rooting for the Bears and another cheering for the Bills.
Sunday's ride raised more than $15,000 for the local Salvation Army. As Brown says, "I benefited from the Salvation Army when I was a kid, and now I'm giving back.''
Rube, as his friends call him, will lead two more rides this month: this Sunday, June 7, in Lynchburg, Va. (where Brown grew up) and June 28 in Buffalo. For that last ride Brown expects 3,000 bikers.
For more information or to make a donation visit www.rubensrun.com.
***HERE ARE SOME MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT:
Glenn Timmermann shows off his Walter Payton ink on his leg.
Timmerman shows off his permanent autographs.
Former Chicago Bear Chris Zorich and Jerry DeLaurentis,
owner of Sideouts Bar & Eatery in Island Lake, hang out.
Bikers cruised in a wide variety of bikes.
Blues great Wayne Baker Brooks performs with Tallan Latz, 9, after the ride.
Tonight in Afghanistan a patrol will go out to defend your freedom. You will be home sleeping comfortably and safely with your family. Last week one Marine was killed and another captured during one of these patrols. But you probably didn’t hear that due to the death of an entertainer.
That is what the Honor Run is all about. A cross country ride to raise money to build a Fisher House for the families of our Wounded Warriors led by a double amputee veteran who holds two world records for riding his motorcycle around the world and across the Outback in Australia. You want to be a part of this ride even if for a few miles or for across this great nation. Please go to www.thehonorrun.org for details and if you are a blogger take a second to change the world by letting your audience know just exactly how they can help a defender of our freedom by joining the Honor Run. Also see www.firstgiving.org/gratefulpatriot1 and show you can fly and American Flag on an interstate to honor all who serve.
Mike Kerr
Executive Director
The Honor Run
1st Marine Division Association
www.thehonorrun.org
949-633-0459
i attended the charity run but was wondering if there was a patch that i could purchase to remember this event by