Some people don’t understand how seriously others take their sports. They make it a central part of their lives. Enough to where it literally decides their mood for a day, a week, a month, and even a year. A select few even take it to the point where it’s a matter of life and death. That may sound like an exaggeration, but not in the case of one Chicago Bears fan by the name of Scott Morrow. This story about him, a bullet, and Justin Fields must be heard to be believed.
The 41-year old Morrow was walking to a friend’s house in the early morning of June 20. While in Humboldt Park, he suddenly collapsed to the ground. In shock at first, he soon realized he’d been shot in the back. He quickly lost consciousness as Block Club Chicago revealed. When he came back around, he was overcome with pain and dizziness. Police had arrived to help and had summoned an ambulance. On his way to the hospital, he had to fight to stay conscious. That was when his thoughts began to roam.
“I just kept thinking about all of the family and friends I didn’t want to leave behind, and all of the things I still have to do: ‘I’m working on an album. I can’t die before this album gets done.’ And stupid stuff like, ‘I can’t die before I see Justin Fields on the field for the Bears’ — just trying to focus on all of the stuff that I’m looking forward to, and thinking about my mom.”
That is hardcore fandom at its finest.
Can’t say it didn’t work either. Despite six days in the hospital, two more visits due to complications, and losing his spleen, a kidney, and part of his pancreas? Morrow is alive. Despite having to take antibiotics for the rest of his life, he counts himself lucky. The bullet came dangerously close to his spine, which would’ve paralyzed him.
He will get his wish to see Fields in action this season and hopefully years to come. While his Bears love wasn’t the only reason he is alive, it probably played a part in him having the necessary willpower to survive that experience. One that saw 14 people in total shot that weekend including some deaths.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Justin Fields is already making a difference
This is an example of the sort of expectations the young quarterback comes in with. He built a strong reputation at Ohio State. One that had many thinking he was one of the best quarterbacks in the 2021 draft. To think the Bears got him with the 11th pick in the 1st round in an age where top QBs don’t fall out of the top 5? It is hard for many fans not to feel like this might’ve been divine intervention.
All that aside, Justin Fields isn’t letting things get carried away. He has his head squarely focused on his job. That is to work hard and get better every day. Do whatever it takes to master his position. People don’t understand. As much as Bears fans want him to be great, Fields himself wants it even more. This is a driven young man. If the organization gives him the necessary resources? He should have success in the NFL.
Morrow will be a happy man if that proves true.
He won’t be alone. Fields might be the most anticipated quarterback debut in modern franchise history. That is how rampant the hype is getting. A byproduct of being tortured by that position for the better part of seven decades.