The team impressed Monday at Halas Hall as it ran through all of its drills in succession.
No, not Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears, but the military personnel who participated afterward in USAA’s Salute to Service Boot Camp in the Walter Payton Center.
Members of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps ran drills similar to those at the NFL scouting combine, including the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three-cone shuttle, receiving gauntlet and quarterback arm challenge.
Bears Hall of Famer Devin Hester returned to Halas Hall to coach the service members. He said it was a no-brainer to agree to lead the event.
While he and other football stars are well-known “because of what we did on the field,” Hester said, “a lot of what these guys do behind the scenes makes America great. These guys sacrifice their time, effort, bodies, minds and their family members. So (for them) to come back and get the opportunity to experience what we did growing up as kids, it’s an honor.”
Hester was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year after an 11-year career — the first eight with the Bears — in which he made four Pro Bowls, three All-Pro first teams and the NFL’s 100th-anniversary all-time team and set a league record with 20 return touchdowns. That doesn’t include his magnum opus: taking the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI 92 yards to the house — the only time an opening kick in a Super Bowl was run back for a score.
“This is Chicago, (where) I made a name (and) left a legacy throughout my career,” Hester said. “What better place to put (this)?”
He was stationed at the 40-yard dash section for the beginning of the drills. Maybe the military members could persuade him to take part?
“No, not at all,” Hester said.
USAA has brought the event to nine NFL cities. It’s light-hearted fun — but also a competition.
“It gets competitive,” said Shawn Isaacson, a USAA military affairs representative and retired Marine sergeant major. “I see people talking a little trash. It’s a lot of fun here.”
In addition to Hester, Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport attended the event, motivated by their own family members in the military. The groups were split into 11 teams and visited each drill station twice. Individual winners and the winning team were recognized.
Marine Staff Sgt. Brad Lamberti won the 40-yard dash with a 4.86-second time. Rapaport awarded him with a replica Bears helmet. Three other service members received signed Bears footballs via a raffle.
Team 3 was the victorious group, led by Lt. Julian Turner of the Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes. This was his second Salute to Service event, and he’s looking to defend his crown next year.
“It was a phenomenal event,” said Turner, who played wide receiver at Navy. “I got some co-workers to come out and it was a blast. There were some distinct things they made better for this year. If I’m still around and available, I’ll be here (next time).”
The winning team will get two tickets each to the Bears’ Salute to Service game Nov. 9 against the New York Giants at Soldier Field. They’ll watch with a bit more football experience than before.
“Not many football drills (in the Navy), but they were fun,” Turner said.