Born and raised a Bears fan, NIU wrestler Mike Grimes has been looking forward to this Sunday all his life.

Unfortunately for Grimes, he may not even catch a glimpse of his team’s shining moment.

The NIU wrestling team travels to Ceder Falls, Iowa to face Northern Iowa and Old Dominion on Super Sunday.

“I’m pissed,” Grimes said. “I love wrestling, but this is the only time in my life that the Bears have been in the Super Bowl.”

Grimes said his entire team has been on coach Dave Grant for scheduling a meet on the day of the Super Bowl.

But what’s worse for Grimes is that his coach doesn’t care.

“We ask him ‘Coach, why did you do that?'” Grimes said. “[Coach Grant] only knows wrestling.”

While Grimes ponders Rex Grossman’s first half statistics in between defending shots and riding time, NIU wide receiver Britt Davis sits in his apartment with some of his teammates feasting over freshly ordered pizzas.

“The Super Bowl is always an exciting time,” Davis said. “Nonetheless, it’s the Bears.”

It’s offseason for the football team, and Davis has nothing better to do on a Sunday, like, say, go wrestle in Iowa.

Davis sympathizes with Grimes, but is not about to give up his position.

“I’m glad I don’t have anything to do,” Davis said. “I might not get to see this again in my lifetime.”

So what would Davis do if by some chance an NIU football game was on the day of a huge sporting event?

He’d go out and play, but Davis has a trick up his sleeve.

“I’d have a satellite radio in my shoulder pads to listen to the game,” Davis said. “I’d find a way.”

It might be hard for Grimes to hide a radio in his singlet, though.

Despite the fact that he may not even see the game, Grimes still sees a light at the end of the tunnel. He’s hopeful the meet will end before the game is over, and he’ll get to catch the second half. Or maybe he’ll see the Bears win a Super Bowl in a different way – by a Bears repeat as Super Bowl champions.

“I can speak like a true Cubs fan,” Grimes said. “There’s always next year.”