Change is in the air across professional sports. For many decades the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians were staples of the NFL and MLB respectively. However, the sweeping times of Black Lives Matter has given rise to other cultural insensitivities. Being a team named after an actual racial slur is something Washington got away with for a long time. Now it seems owner Daniel Snyder can no longer hide from it. The Chicago Bears should be grateful they aren’t in the same predicament.

Things really started to spin out of control thanks to two key events. Nike pulled Washington merchandise off their website until the team made a name change. Then FedEx owner Fred Smith, who sponsors the team stadium and is a minority owner as well, made a public statement condemning the name and asking for a change.

Apparently this is something he’s pushed for going back years.

“Thursday’s statement from FedEx, the company founded by Washington minority partner Fred Smith, opposing the name of the team stunned many around the league. However, the public assault on a name that Washington owner Daniel Snyder had said would never change wasn’t the result of an epiphany for Smith. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Smith had been trying to get Snyder to change the name for “years.”

Smith’s dissatisfaction with the name and other issues already had brought Smith to a point where he, along with fellow minority owner Dwight Schar, had actively been trying to sell their pieces of the team. However, both have to date been unable to find a buyer.”

So what if the Chicago Bears were forced to do the same?

Obviously this is a pure hypothetical. Calling a team the Bears isn’t likely to be criticized for racial insensitivity. Not unless actual bears become sentient and campaign for a change. Still, it’s something to at least ponder. Chicago has held this name since the 1920s when George Halas christened them with that title. If they were pushed to make a switch, what would make sense?

Maybe the Chicago Towers due to the Willis Tower and John Hancock Building.

The Chicago Storm? No doubt a reference to the erratic weather the city often sees.

Or maybe dusting off an old classic from the USFL as the Chicago Blitz given how Buddy Ryan revolutionized it back in the ’80s.

What about the Chicago Bats given the animal species is quite prevalent in the state of Illinois? Batman tie-ins would be a must.

It’s not an easy topic to tackle. There are many options to brainstorm. A lot of them not too good. Odds are fans wouldn’t be happy with any of them since the Bears have been their identity their entire lives. So all one can say is be happy Halas chose such a fiersome but benign team name all those years ago and avoided the nightmare Washington now finds itself.