On hand for history, Deligio recalls a big day
HUNTLEY – When Bears quarterback Justin Fields broke into the open field against the Philadelphia Eagles, a signal caller from Huntley was cheering him on at Soldier Field’s north end zone.
Senior Sam Deligio was one of nine weekly award winners for the Chicago Bears’ All-Star Players and Coaches award, for his Week Nine play against Crystal Lake South. Fields became the Bears’ all-time single season quarterback rushing leader (besting Bobby Douglass, whose mark stood for 50 years) and Fields was the third all-time 1,000-yard QB rusher for one season. Alas, the Bears fell, 25-20.
Deligio, who guided the Red Raiders offense to a 2,000-yard rushing season in an 8-2 playoff and co-Fox Valley Conference championship season was thrilled to be on hand for Fields’ accomplishment. He recalled the cold Dec. 18.
“My dad, sister and I got to Soldier Field around 10 a.m.,” Deligio told My Huntley News. “We checked in and received our tickets. We then got a chance to go onto the field during pre-game. So we got a chance to watch both the Bears and Eagles in warm-ups and then went to find our seats. We sat in the north end zone. At 10 minutes left in the second quarter, we were told to meet at the same place we went to before the game. Only I was allowed at this time.”
Deligio further described his big day at Soldier Field.
“I received my award with other players and coaches,” Deligio said. “We then lined up and walked to the tunnel. We stayed there until halftime and then walked onto the filed and stood at the end zone line. The announcer called each and every players’ and coaches’ name and said a little about what they accomplished. I got a chance to meet Hall of Fame member Dan Hampton. He was much bigger in person but was a very nice guy. After we got recognized, we took some pictures solo and as a group on the field. Then we exited and went back to our seats.”
Deligio was one of 18 players or coaches honored that day. While he did not know any others going in, he met several players and coaches such as Mt. Carmel’s Class 6A state championship coach, Jordan Lynch and coaching legend Ken Leonard of Sacred Heart Griffin of Springfield and others.
Deligio, who rushed for 364 yards and passed for 700 yards for HHS this fall, gave his thoughts on watching Fields and the Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts.
“My impressions on the quarterback play in the game game is both have similar skill sets,” Deligio said. “Hurts is incredible. He is truly a leader for his team and plays like it is his last game. He goes all out. He is very fast and throws a beautiful ball.”
On Fields, “I believe Fields is a very talented quarterback. His speed and leadership is very cool. You can tell he is truly a competitor. The play he broke the rushing record on, the stadium erupted. It was an amazing experience. I try to model my game after both of those quarterbacks so to see them in person is a dream come true. Both are extremely talented and play at the highest level I have ever seen.”
Three football players from nearby towns, linebacker TJ Edwards of Lake Villa for the Eagles and Bears players Jack Sanborn from Lake Zurich and tight end Cole Kmet a St. Viator grad, participated.
“Seeing local guys in the NFL is a true inspiration not just for me, but all the kids in the area,” Deligio commented. “It shows that even if you are from a small town, you can make it big. All three of those guys have something in common that they work extremely hard for what they have. At the end of the day, they did something to stand out and separate themselves from every other athlete they played with or against. I am a little biased to say I like Sanborn and Kmet a little better because they are on the good guys but I love to hear stories about local players who make it big.”
