Lessons from the Chicago Bears

Never Counted Out: Lessons from the Chicago Bears

One of the things that has stood out this season about the Chicago Bears is their refusal to quit. At 11 wins and 6 losses, this team has shown time and again that the scoreboard doesn’t tell the whole story. Seven of those wins have come when they were trailing in the final two minutes of regulation. Instead of panicking or giving up, they stayed composed, trusted the process, and executed when it mattered most.

That mindset translates perfectly to swimming.

At a meet, the outcome of one race has nothing to do with the next. A tough first swim does not define the rest of the session, just as a great swim doesn’t guarantee the next one. Every stroke is different. Every race is different. Every race strategy is different. What matters is the ability to step away from the last result, good or bad, reset, and focus fully on what’s coming next.

Football teams don’t stop playing because the first quarter didn’t go their way. Swimmers shouldn’t stop believing because one race didn’t unfold as planned.

Another piece of the Bears’ success is leadership on the sideline. Ben Johnson brings energy, clarity, and belief. He helps players see where they can improve, while also getting them excited about what’s still possible in the game. The message is always the same, this isn’t over yet.

That role mirrors what happens on the pool deck at Delta.

Our coaches are there to provide feedback, celebrate great swims, recognize best times, and also acknowledge strong races that may not come with a time drop. We look for moments where practice habits show up in competition, whether that’s improved turns, better underwaters, or smarter pacing. Often, that feedback comes in the form of an "Oreo", something positive, one thing to work on during practice or adjust next time, and another positive to reinforce confidence.

Just like the Bears, our swimmers are never counted out.

A meet isn’t about one race. It’s about responding, adjusting, and staying engaged from the first event to the last. Whether a swimmer is coming off a tough swim or riding the momentum of a great one, the focus stays forward.

🐻 Stay in it. Trust the work. One race never defines the day. 🐻

Coach Jessica