The lunch hour looked different for office workers and Bears fans at the Merchandise Mart as hundreds gathered to celebrate the reveal of a Caleb Williams inspired “Iceman” sculpture.
The ice sculpture was revealed Thursday by the Chicago Bears in the Merchandise Mart’s plaza to build anticipation before Sunday’s match-up between the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams. Overlooking the Chicago River, the large figure portraying Williams in action is the latest Bears-themed activation to pop-up in the Loop.
“We just want to get the whole support of the city behind the Chicago Bears,” said Darrel Dupit, who helped bring the experience to life for fans. “This is one way of giving back to the fans who can’t be at the game.”
Joined by Bears alum Anthony ‘Spice’ Adams and mascot Staley Da Bear, hundreds of fans continuously streamed in for the chance to take photos and celebrate their love for the team.
Veronica Vazquez said she remembers when she was cheering on the Bears during the 1986 Superbowl game against the New England Patriots. On Thursday, she walked over from her office near Madison and LaSalle streets to spend her lunch break rooting for the team.
“I was waiting for Chicago to do something like this, because that’s what we’re known for,” she said. “We’re known to just bring the community together.”
Vazquez said she remembers ice statues appearing across the city in 2007 in the weeks leading up to the Superbowl against the Indianapolis Colts. Anticipating a win this Sunday, Vazquez said it’s “gonna get bigger and better” as the Bears advance to another week in the playoffs.
For fans like Kenneth Perez and his family, attending the event meant making a trip in from the suburbs to celebrate his son Noah’s birthday.
“We finished breakfast, and I heard on the radio that the statue was going to be here,” Perez said. “I was like man, we got to go. The Caleb special, you know, the statue looks beautiful. What better way to celebrate his birthday?”
After years of losing seasons, Perez said showing up in person felt important.
“Our team has been suffering for so many years,” Perez said. “Everything aligned for us, to get a great quarterback, great coach, great players, and to get everybody together.”