When Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia in his first year as Colts head coach in 2012, he was met with an outpouring of support from the Indianapolis community.
It was something that Pagano has never forgotten over the years.
“Living it like we lived it was truly amazing,” Pagano said, via 670 the Score. “Because they didn’t have to do that.
“There are a lot more good in this world than bad.”
So when Pagano returns to Lucas Oil Stadium as the Bears’ new defensive coordinator for Chicago’s third preseason game on Saturday night, it’s definitely more than just another game. It’s so much more.
“It goes without saying, we all understand the significance for him,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said. “He’s a guy that just has so much appreciation for that organization, for that fan base and for the city. They’ve done so much for him. He’s done so much for them.
“That is what it’s all about.”
In six years as the Colts head coach, Pagano went 53-43 before being fired after the 2017 season. But Indianapolis still holds a special place in his heart.
Pagano returned to Indianapolis back in May for his annual fundraiser for cancer research. But he wasn’t alone. Nagy, Ryan Pace and George McCaskey were some of those from the Bears organization that made the trip with him.
“It was unbelievable and just speaks to the people that own these two organizations and the fan base and everybody in these two football buildings, to their character,” Pagano said. “They understand that what football is and the game and all that stuff. But it was a night where both teams, both organizations put football to the side and we all came together for a great cause, and that was to raise money for cancer research.”
When the Bears take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, it’ll be about more than just a preseason game.
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