It’s tough to live out a dream.

Former NIU offensive lineman Tim Vincent had his dream of playing in the NFL crushed when the Chicago Bears cut the 6-foot-6, 288-pound tackle in their final cut on Sunday.

However, Vincent is now able to pursue another dream of his, which is to teach elementary school.

NIU coach Joe Novak was told by the Bears organization that Vincent was a long shot to make the team because he wasn’t “big” enough for the NFL.

Vincent, a lifelong Bears fan, was in awe when he first stepped onto the field with the players he had been rooting for. He cherished the experience, despite not getting a chance to see any playing time during the Bears’ four preseason games.

“It was cool,” Vincent said. “I watched every game and all my life I’ve been a Bears fan. It was something special practicing with the guys I saw on TV, but I had to stay level-headed. It was disheartening not getting in because I felt like if I could’ve gotten in, I could’ve proved myself.”

The former Huskie is now back in DeKalb teaching sixth grade students at Clinton Rosette Middle School.

“I think for him to try out for the NFL and have it not work out is tough,” said Vincent’s mother, Pam Doyle. “But he knows he’ll have a larger impact as a teacher and that tells a lot about who he is. He’s a caring and sensitive guy off the field who’s great with kids.”

Doyle didn’t overlook the fact, however, that her son was a Chicago Bear, however briefly.

“I can’t describe the feeling,” Doyle said. “It doesn’t happen to a lot of people, and to see your son come onto the field as a Chicago Bear is unreal.”

Former teammate and current Huskie receiver P.J. Fleck thinks Vincent might be a rare teacher that doesn’t have many complaints coming from parents.

“There’s a lot of problems with parents I hear with the elementary schools, but I don’t think many parents are going to give him any problems,” Fleck joked. “So I think he’ll be all right in that department.”

While at NIU, Vincent achieved First Team All-MAC his senior year (2002), Second Team All-MAC in his junior campaign (2001) and was selected to the MAC Honor Roll in 2000.

Chris Finlen, a 2001 NIU graduate, also had a chance to make the New Orleans Saints as a quarterback but also had his dream cut short on Sunday.

NIU does have four players that made NFL rosters and are expected to play big roles for their respective teams.

Wide receivers Justin McCareins and Darrell Hill are on the Tennessee Titans as their third and fourth receivers, Ryan Diem is the starting right guard protecting Peyton Manning for the Colts and Hollis Thomas will return from injury to help the Eagles’ defensive line this year.

Fleck, who played with Hill, McCareins and Diem said that it’s no coincidence that each of those guys are in the NFL because of the work ethic they possessed while at NIU.

“It just seems like all the hard working people I know are now in the NFL,” Fleck said. “I think that sets the tone for a lot of people here who want to get to the next level. It shows them that they have to work hard.”