CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A lot of adults can recall the odd jobs they had as a teenager. However, in the world of Chicago Bears fandom, Chet Ballard’s tops them all.
“I still look back and say I can’t believe it,” Chet said while reminiscing in his Cape Coral home.
In 1982, at the age of 17, Chet was working for the Chicago security company Andy Frain Services at Soldier Field in Chicago when an opportunity came his way. The Bears needed someone to escort visiting coaches throughout the stadium and prevent hecklers from interrupting their visit.
“From 1982 to 1997, I was the only one who ever did that job,” Chet said.
In 1997, Chet’s brother Tom, took over the role. The brothers were affectionately known as the “Mayors of Bears Alley” during their tenures with the Bears.
They have compiled stories and memories from their experiences in a new book “Sidelines: Four Decades of Sundays with Da Bears”.
“I want people to read this and say I can’t believe these guys got away with this stuff all those years,” Chet said.
After Chet left his job with the Bears, he eventually moved to Cape Coral and currently works as a material handler for Cape Coral Hospital.
If you are interested in reading Chet and Tom’s book, you can purchase a copy here.
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