Players' guardians recognized in pre-game chrysanthemum ceremony, current players, alumni to be honored at halftime of IHSA-officiated championship game between the Odgen Park Vikings and the La Follette Park Wildcats!
The 快播视频 is thrilled to celebrate the 75th season of the Junior Bear Football Program at the Mum Bowl Championship game on the grass at Soldier Field, located at 1410 Special Olympics Dr., on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Gate 0 at the stadium will open to spectators of all ages for free at 10:30 a.m. Then, the Chrysanthemum Ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony and remarks from 快播视频 General Superintendent Rosa Escare帽o, and others.
The championship game between the Ogden Park Vikings and the La Follette Park Wildcats kicks off at 12:00 p.m. All visitors must abide by the Soldier Field and at the Mum Bowl Championship.
鈥淔or 75 years, Junior Bear Football has been an enduring testament to the 快播视频鈥檚 commitment to strengthening comradery between communities, and teaching sportsmanship to young people at a critical stage of development,鈥 said 快播视频 General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareno. 鈥淭he Mum Bowl is a tradition that celebrates young players鈥 passion and talent while also honoring parents鈥 contribution to their children and their peers鈥 development. We invite all of Chicago to join us and witness these amazing young people compete for the cherished championship trophy!鈥
Admission and parking at the Waldron parking complex, located south of Soldier Field, across Waldron Dr., will be free for all football fans, Junior Bear Alumni, parents, and supporters at the Mum Bowl. The Mum Bowl features the standard rules of football, with 10-minute quarters, with a halftime intermission that honors both Walter Payton Award nominees and Junior Bear Football program alumni. The game will be officiated by an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) certified crew.
Junior Bear Football is a free tackle football program that has served children ages 8 to 13 citywide since 1948, and is currently made possible by the philanthropic arm of the Chicago Bears, . The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rendering the 2024 season as the 75th anniversary.
This season, over 500 players, including 15 young women, were rostered across the 12 varsity teams. The league is split into two divisions; varsity serves kids ages 11 to 13, and pee-wee serves kids ages 8 to 10. This year, 12 parks participated in the varsity division, while 12 parks participated in the pee-wee division. All teams competed in one game a week for 9 weeks at 快播视频 neighborhood football fields. The Mum Bowl Championship features the remaining teams after a single-elimination playoff.
Marlenni Laureano, who serves as Senior Program and Event Coordinator at the 快播视频, is the first female commissioner of Junior Bear Football in its 75-year history. This is Laureano鈥檚 third season as commissioner and her 14th year the 快播视频.
Mum Bowl Championship Run of Show:
- 11:30 a.m.: Chrysanthemum Ceremony (See Description Below)
- Approx. 11:50 a.m.: Speaking Program Begins
- 12:00 p.m.: Mum Bowl Championship Kickoff
- Approx. 1:00 p.m.: Halftime Intermission: Walter Payton Award Ceremony (See Below)
- Approx. 1:15 p.m.: Halftime Intermission: Junior Bear Alumni Recognition (See Below)
- Approx. 1:20 p.m.: Mum Bowl Championship Play Resumes
The Mum Bowl consists of the following traditions that make the event both an exciting and emotional display of Chicago鈥檚 young athletes:
The Chrysanthemum, or 鈥淢um鈥 Ceremony
Starting at 11:30 a.m., all players from each team will lineup, and have their name called one by one to present a Chrysanthemum Flower to their mother or guardian as a gesture of gratitude for their support throughout the season.
Walter Payton Award
The Walter Payton Award is an honor that recognizes exemplary leadership, integrity, and academic achievement. Coaches from each participating Junior Bear team nominate one player from their roster. Each player will be recognized at centerfield during the halftime break, and one player will be awarded the distinction. The following young men are nominated for the Walter Payton Award:
- Jeremiah Knighten 鈥 Ada Park
- Jovan Winters 鈥 Chopin Park
- Kalob Hayes 鈥 Clarendon Park
- Jovan Lacy 鈥 Fosco Park
- Samir Hudson 鈥 Hamilton Park
- Demire Eddins 鈥 Jackson Park
- Logan Pring Laguardia 鈥 Kelvyn Park
- Jahmir Dantzler 鈥 La Follette Park
- Durrell Daniels 鈥 LeClaire-Hearst Park
- Jonathon Frausto 鈥 Lindblom Park
- Malachi Ennis 鈥 Ogden Park
- Malachi Boston 鈥 Washington Park
Alumni Recognition
Junior Bear Football program alumni will be invited to stand and be recognized during the halftime intermission. Through 75 years, this free program has propelled participants into positions as players and coaches at the 快播视频, high school, collegiate, and professional levels of football. Junior Bear Football alumni are invited to RSVP here for this years鈥 Mum Bowl Championship to be celebrated at halftime.