Dec. 29--Fired Bears general manager Phil Emery gave a 1-minute, 29-second statement Monday at Halas Hall after learning of his fate. He did not take questions from reporters in a packed media room at team headquarters.
Here's his full statement:
"Well, it's not the 9 degrees it was in Minnesota, so it's a good day, right?
"Just wanted to take a moment to thank everybody in the Bears organization. All the good staff here, all the fine coaches that I've had the opportunity to work with in the past and the present, and all of our players that I've had the good fortune to be associated with during my time here. I also want to say a public 'thank you' to the McCaskey family, our ownership group and to Ted Phillips (team president and CEO). Your support, your patience and your kindness have been incredible. No employee could ask for more.
"This job was an opportunity of a lifetime. My only regret is that we didn't win enough games for that opportunity to continue. Thank you to all the Bears fns that have reached out to me the last three years, who have stopped to say hello, who have extended their hand in friendship, and I've had an opportunity to have a conversation with. Your kindness does a lot more for the soul than people can imagine.
"To borrow a lyric or a line from (American singer/songwriter) Carrie Newcomer: "We stand breathless on the clean edge of change." So it's time to change and to move forward. Go Bears! Thanks for your time."
