Former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka always felt the Chicago Bears had a certain identity when they were at their best. He called the “Grabowski” persona. In essence, this team was made up of blue-collar-type guys who didn’t get things handed to them. They had to work hard for everything. The working class. This wasn’t a team like the ones in Los Angeles or Dallas with all the money, celebrities, and fancy toys. Chicago was a working-class city, and they wanted their team to play that way. Rookie linebacker Keyshaun Elliott understands that.
This is a young man who grew up in Richmond, Missouri. It is a small town of barely 6,000 people. He had to fight like crazy to get noticed by any college programs, eventually joining New Mexico State. Then, after working tirelessly for two years, he earned a transfer to Arizona State. All of that hard work got him drafted in the 5th round. It seems rather fitting he’d land in Chicago. Or at least it does now. A few years ago, Elliott might’ve questioned what the Bears’ identity even is. Somewhere in the past several years, they seemed to lose track of who they were. No identity. No direction.
Keyshaun Elliott believes the Bears rediscovered that Grabowski mentality.
“Obviously, I know coach Ben Johnson is (a) hard-nosed, blue colored guy like I said. So you know, I’m expecting all of it when it comes to effort, physicality, and how much we go when it comes to training camp. But that’s what’s going to separate people in this league is how much time you’re putting in in the offseason. The offseason wins you the championships and Super Bowls, so just hearing that from older guys, you know, just makes me want to get going right now. Let’s do it. Let’s put on the pads, and let’s roll…
…This is a blue-collar football team, something, you know, that I was blessed to be a part of my first two years of college and my last two years of college.”
Keyshaun Elliott should thank Ben Johnson.
Make no mistake. All of this started with the arrival of the Bears’ new head coach. From the beginning, he knew what he wanted to do. In his mind, a winning team must be tough, physical, and violent. Sure, they must execute at a high level and be disciplined, but it’s often the most physical teams that are left standing at the end of seasons. It isn’t surprising that Johnson had this mentality. He grew up in a blue-collar family with his father a school principal and his mother a middle school teacher. Working for everything you get was something instilled in him from a young age.
He didn’t get a scholarship to play football in college. Johnson was a walk-on at North Carolina. He didn’t arrive in the NFL with fanfare, latching on with the Miami Dolphins as a lowly offensive assistant in 2012. His tireless work ethic hardened with each passing year until he finally got his opportunity as an offensive coordinator in Detroit. The rest is history. It’s only natural that Johnson would look to instill a similar mindset in his own football team. Keyshaun Elliott clearly sees the results.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
The Bears rookie will embrace this mentality.
Draft analysts criticized Elliott for lacking athleticism and elite instincts as a linebacker. One thing they never questioned, though, was his physicality. When he had opportunities to hit somebody, he did it. His dedication to the game is also a major positive. Most believe he has the floor of a good backup who will carve out a long-term role on special teams. The Bears would have no issues with that. Such players have built strong followings in Chicago over the years. See Brendn Ayanbadejo.
Don’t be surprised if you hear Elliott’s name in key situations a couple of times this season. It may take time for the rookie to get any serious snaps on defense, but his approach to the game is such that he’ll take advantage of the opportunities he gets. Blue-collar types like that are always ready. Undersell and overachieve. Chicago reached great heights by building its team with players like these. It is a relief that they’ve gone back to this approach after years of wandering the wilderness.
