MIAMI BEACH, Fla.— Robbie Gould went to practice at the University of Miami on Tuesday and Facetimed someone he knew would appreciate his location: Bears punter Pat O’Donnell, who spent his last year of college kicking for the Hurricanes.
“They did the field right,” O’Donnell said. “They put the 49ers logo on the field.”
O’Donnell still keeps in touch with the former Bears kicker, and figures he might track down either him or Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, with whom he played collegiately at Cincinnati.
O’Donnell grew up in South Florida and still lives here. He can’t imagine what playing in the Super Bowl in his hometown would be like — but was quick to point out next year offers a somewhat similar opportunity. Next year’s Super Bowl is in Tampa, which is an easy drive for his friends and family.
The Bears need work to get there, though O’Donnell swore there was some momentum gained from ending the season with a win against a Vikings team playing backups.
“I think that’s been the heartbeat of the locker room: ‘Things need to change,’” he said. “Things obviously weren’t up to our expectations … it’s not like we’re happy with our 8-8 season.”
