'09 Providence Catholic Grad Pat Ward Goes Pro with Miami Dolphins

Football standout, Patrick Ward, a 2009 graduate of Providence Catholic High School signed on to play with the Miami Dolphins.

Patrick Ward, a 2009 football standout from Providence Catholic High School, is an NFL pro. He signed April 27 with the Miami Dolphins. The 6-foot-7-inch, 310-pound offensive lineman announced his signing April 27 on Twitter. He tweeted:    The 22-year-old son of Brian and Laurel Ward of Homer Glen, Ward played for the Northwestern Wildcats. Read his Wildcats bio here . The Wildcats bio describes him as having "excelled in his third year as a starter on NU offensive line, moving to left tackle in 2012 after spending the previous two seasons at right tackle. "Ward was named honorable mention All-Big Ten by both league media and coaches, the first such honor of his career. He is noted as one of Northwestern's top performing student-athletes …

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'08 L-W East Football Player Goes to the NFL, Arizona Cardinals

Dan Giordano, 23, of Frankfort, signed as a free agent with the Cardinals on Saturday, his mom announced. Giordano was defensive standout for the Griffins before going on to play at the University of Cincinnati.

Lincoln-Way East defensive standout Dan Giordano signed as an NFL free agent with the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night. His mother, Denise, announced the signing in a Facebook message to Patch. Giordano, of Frankfort, wasn't chosen during the three-day NFL draft, which ran from Thursday, April 25, to Saturday, April 27. But his signing after the draft means he has a chance to earn a spot on the Cardinals' roster this upcoming season. A four-year starter at defensive end for the Griffins, Giordano was named defensive player of the year in the Southwest Suburban Conference for the 2007 season as a senior. He also was part of East's 2005 team that won the 8A state title. Giordano, 23, continued as a defensive player at the University of …

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If Their Best Player Was Gay, Would You Still Cheer for the Bears?

A current gay NFL player could come out in a few months and continue to play in the league, according to an online columnist.

Would You Still Cheer for the Bears if Their Best Player Was Gay?

A current gay NFL player could come out in a few months and continue to play in the league, according to an online columnist. His biggest concern? Harm from homophobic fans. How would you react if he played for your favorite team?

In the same week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of California's Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage case, a CBS Sports online columnist says a current gay NFL player could come out publicly within the next few months. This player would become the first athlete in one of America's major team sports to be openly gay and continue to play. READ: Check Out the Full CBSSports.com Column for More Details But the obstacle keeping this unidentified player from revealing his sexual orientation isn't the fear of how teammates or even opposing players will react, writes CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman, citing former and current NFL players as sources for this information. It's a worry of what fans might do, Freeman reports…

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Angela Marie

3:57 pm on Thursday, March 28, 2013

What a naive thing to say.   more ›

Brian Urlacher No Longer a Chicago Bear: What Do You Think?

Should the Bears have offered more money to keep Urlacher in Chicago to finish out his career?

The Bears will open the 2013 season without Brian Urlacher running the defense. The 13-year veteran middle linebacker, arguably the most popular Chicago Bear of the last decade and a mainstay in the Bears defense, could not come to financial terms with the Chicago Bears. The Bears offered a one-year deal for $2 million. Urlacher, 34, initially asked for two years totaling $11.5 million but says he would have settled for $3 million. Wednesday, he called the Bears offer "a slap in the face." Urlacher's ubiquitous jersey could be seen on Bears fans of all ages and was among the NFL's most-sold jerseys through 2010. The eight-time Pro Bowler recorded 1,779 tackles, a Bears franchise record, and many believe he's a future Hall of Famer. In 2005…

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Mike F.

5:52 pm on Monday, March 25, 2013

Urlacher can't move anymore.   more ›

Pro Football Hall of Famers Team Up to Fight Prostate Cancer

Former Bears star Dan Hampton will speak at free prostate health event on Jan. 22 at Lincoln-Way West High School, hosted by Silver Cross Hospital and Advanced Urology Associates.

As football fans get excited for the run-up to the Super Bowl, Silver Cross Hospital, Advanced Urology Associates, the American Urological Association (AUA) Foundation and the National Football League are encouraging men to “Know Your Stats About Prostate Cancer®.” Over 45,000 men in Illinois are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, making it the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men. A sponsored article by Silver Cross Hospital Led by Pro Football Hall of Fame player and prostate cancer survivor Mike Haynes, fans and NFL players across the country can join the team at www.KnowYourStats.org to help spread the word about prostate cancer and the importance of knowing your risk factors. The national campaign is focused on …

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PHOTOS: Chicago Bear Lance Briggs in Frankfort

Fans sported their Bears apparel for Briggs' signing at Buffalo Wild Wings in Frankfort.

Chicago Bear Lance Briggs paid a visit to Frankfort Wednesday night. The NFL player stopped by the village to appear on the Miller Lite Top Draft Show at Buffalo Wild Wings in Frankfort. The live broadcast featured Briggs, as well as 670 The Score’s Laurence Holmes. Excited fans packed the restaurant to catch a glimpse of Briggs and to get their Bears gear autographed by the Chicago linebacker. Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Lincoln-Way Patch sites:

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Bears or Colts? A Correct Pick Could Win You a $25 Gift Card

The Bears and Colts kick off the NFL season today, and Patch wants you to predict the score. The closest guess to the actual outcome wins a $25 gift card to a local restaurant.

Wild Rover's Present to Bears Fans: Staying Open for Christmas Day Game

The Frankfort bar will open at 5 p.m. for the Bears-Packers game.

Didn't get that 52-inch HD TV for Christmas? But still want to see the Bears-Packers game on a big screen? Don't worry, you still have an option: The Wild Rover will be open at 5 p.m. for the game. Christmas is already stressful, and this is a way for people to come out and relax, said Jack Dillon, co-owner of The Wild Rover.  READ: Predict the Score of the Bears-Packers Christmas Showdown The bar, which will be the only one open Christmas Day, also will be holding a raffle for Bulls tickets during the game. The game kicks off at 7:20 p.m. Sunday. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE WILD ROVER? Tell us and other readers by writing a review in the Patch Places business directory.

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Bears vs. Lions: Where to Go for Monday Night Specials

Don't want to watch the game alone at home? Here are some of the places in the Lincoln-Way area with drink and food deals. Plus, tell us what you think the score will be.

It's been a long time since a game against the Detroit Lions wasn't considered a joke. But if the Chicago Bears want to stay competitive within the division, they're going to have to take down the rejuvenated Lions on Monday Night Football. READ: Jake Buss and Tim Shaunnessey Blog About the Bears This should be the kind of game you enjoy with a group, so why not check out one of these area watering holes. Not only will they be showing the game, they'll also have some pretty nifty food and drink specials. Chicago Blu: The bar will have its second annual chili cook-off with its staff, which means free chili at halftime. Then vote for your favorite. Plus, there will be $1 drafts, $4 pitchers of Miller, $5 pitchers of Budweiser and $3.99 …

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Michael Sewall

10:26 am on Monday, October 10, 2011

Thanks for the addition, Sue!   more ›