Nathan Vasher - Chicago Bears Alumni

1) Nathan Vasher is a former NFL player who played his first six seasons with the Chicago Bears and spent the next season as part of the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions.

2) Vasher led the NFL in interceptions (8) in 2005 and earned an invitation to the Pro Bowl.  

3) Nathan set the NFL record for longest return of any kind in 2005 when he returned a Joe Nedney missed field goal for 108 yard touchdown.

Photo Credit: Getty Images Steve Franz

D (asked by Dad): What was your favorite healthy pregame meal?

NV: I’m big on pasta and I used to eat it before games back in high school. I liked to eat chicken and shrimp too but I definitely didn't want to eat too much before the game.

D's Follow Up: I like noodles like Nathan too. I like my noodles buttered with parmesan. I don't like the sauce. 
I like chicken nuggets and what my dad gives me. I've tried shrimp only once and I didn't like it. I guess they are good foods before a game because he said so.


J (asked by Dad): Did you play any other sports while growing up?

NV: I was a multi-sport athlete growing up. I played soccer until I was 14 and I also played baseball, basketball and track and field while in high school.

J's Follow Up: I play soccer and basketball too. I bet he was good at both because he was such a good football player. I hope to play basketball and soccer in high school like Nathan. 

The boys and I were gifted four amazing seats to the Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions on November 19th from a parent at school and I was also invited to the game by my friend Steve. We took the opportunity to invite Gramma and Papa to their first Bears game and enjoy the nice seats from the United Club with the boys while Steve and I would brave the cold and sit in the 300 level. Unfortunately, their seats were located on the other side of the stadium and they didn't get the opportunity to meet Nathan Vashar before the game, so Steve and I asked the boys' questions for them.

Nathan was an important part of the Bears team that made it to Super Bowl 41. I had the opportunity meet him the season before in 2005 after he set the NFL record with a 108 yard return touchdown. Known as Nate Vash and "The Interceptor", I was a big fan of watching Nathan Vasher play on the Bears dominant defense throughout his six seasons in Chicago. He was a player who always seemed to be around the ball and make a big play if it was in his area. 

It was nice seeing Nathan before the game and he is another former Chicago Bear who decided to stay in the area after his playing days were done. Nathan is now a defensive backs coach for Trinity International University in Bannockburn and continues to do alumni player appearances for the Chicago Bears. Thank you Nathan for taking the time to meet with us in November!

Kris Bryant - Chicago Cubs

1) #17 Kris Bryant plays third base for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.

2) Bryant entered Major League Baseball in 2015 and won National League Rookie of the Year and is a 2x All Star (2015, 2016).

3) In 2016, Kris Bryant took home the National League Most Valuable Player award and was a major part the team that won the first World Series championship for the Chicago Cubs since 1908.

J: What is your favorite fruit or vegetable?

KB: Honestly, I don't eat too much of either. I eat a lot of steak and I love cake. They have everything in the clubhouse. I would say strawberries though for fruit to pick one.

J when talking to Cubs World Series MVP Ben Zobrist in November 2016: When we met Kris Bryant he said he likes cake and steak.

BZ: For fruit? When you asked him that question? That sounds like him. And soda. He drinks soda all the time.

J's Follow Up: This is not what I was thinking he was going to say. I thought he'd say broccoli and raspberries or something like that. But he went with cake and steak and also soda. He's like a top 10 baseball player in the league and he eats that. I think it all tastes good and I eat them too. I like cake a little more than steak but I don't try to eat them that much. 

D's Follow Up: I do like cake and steak but steak to me is better than cake. Cake is good to me too. I like to drink soda sometimes because I like Coca-Cola. My mom and dad say no pop unless we go out to eat. Dad always says water is the best.

Jordan and I met Kris Bryant on May 28th, 2015 at ATI Physical Therapy in Zion, IL. After an afternoon where Jordan visited Bannockburn School to celebrate our school's victory as Illinois' top Play 60 school with a visit from Chicago Bears tight ends Zach Miller and Bear Pascoe, we both decided to head north to Zion to meet the #2 overall draft pick from the 2013 MLB draft and highly touted Cubs rookie. At the time, we were excited to meet the future of the Chicago Cubs but we had no idea that one season later he would be named MVP and lead the Cubs to a World Series title. I saw the event earlier in the morning and we quickly made the drive out to Zion right after school. Luckily, I had one of my Cubs hats in my office and off we went.

The event at ATI was a photo opportunity only but we were thrilled to have access to the future of the Cubs! We waited about 45 minutes to shake hands with Kris and Jordan was excited to help me do healthy eating research for school. The Fuel Up to Play 60 team was recording the healthy foods that players from different Chicago teams ate before a game. We would then host a healthy taste test at school with each player's favorite snack. Of course, we were surprised to hear that Kris opts for steak and cake while he's hanging out in the Wrigley Field clubhouse and we had to throw those two foods out of the mix for our event. Being fans of both foods, we did enjoy his honesty and thought his response was awesome... but at least he did mention strawberries. To this day, we still talk about Kris when we have steak for dinner or when we dive into cake. At the time, Kris was brand new to the major leagues and we are guessing that his diet has changed over the past few seasons. With the importance of strength training and nutrition for high level athletes today, we assume the Cubs might have him cutting back on the cake, soda and the steak. If not, more power to him because he has become one of the brightest young stars in Major League Baseball. 

Alshon Jeffery - Philadelphia Eagles

1) Alshon Jeffery is a wide receiver wearing #17 for the Philadelphia Eagles.

2) Jeffery was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2012 and spent his first five seasons in Chicago. In his five seasons in Chicago, Alshon had 26 receiving touchdowns and 4,549 receiving yards and one pro bowl selection.

3) In his first year in Philadelphia, Alshon Jeffery makes his first appearance in the Super Bowl versus the New England Patriots after recording 7 receiving touchdowns and 732 receiving yards on the season.

D: What is your favorite sport to play other than football?

AJ: Basketball.

D's Follow Up: Alshon would be good at basketball because he's fast and has big hands. He's tall and I think he can dunk. I don't think I could beat him in a game.


J: What is your favorite food and can you name your favorite vegetable?

AJ: Lasagna is my favorite food. I like broccoli too.

J's Follow Up: I don't really like lasagna. He might eat it before the game for energy? I like broccoli and he'll probably eat some before the Super Bowl tonight.

There is no athlete we've ever met more than Alshon Jeffery. We've seen him at training camp multiple times, Chicago Huddle tv show, Jewel, three separate autograph signings and more. During his time in Chicago, we viewed Alshon as a dynamic player who was the best receiver we'd ever seen play on the Bears. We also know Alshon as one of the nicest players in the NFL. As you can see in the photos, Alshon was always smiling and always excited to meet with his fans. 

 It was tough to see one of our favorite players leave town last summer but we will always be fans of Alshon Jeffery and we will cheer him on in the Super Bowl as he goes for his first championship against the New England Patriots. This Sunday, we  (except for Danny) will be chanting #FlyEaglesFly.