Tom Waddle says he never takes for granted who he was as a player with the Chicago Bears. He wasn’t their best wide receiver but he overcame size and speed to become one their most effective and popular players. Now 56, Waddle has turned that popularity into a very successful career in the media culminating with his longtime partnership with Marc Silverman on ESPN 1000 in Chicago.

But getting here took plenty of grit and determination. Waddle attended Boston College where he finished first on the schools all time reception list. You would think that got him drafted in the NFL but it didn’t. His agent though, convinced the Bears to sign him and he became a fan favorite making big time catches under head coaches Mike Ditka and Dave Wanndstedt.

Waddle grew up in Cincinnati where he watched his Reds win back to back World Series in the mid 70s. He remains a big fan of the team despite his 35 years living and thriving in Chicago.

Part one of this enthralling episode goes further in examine how Waddle made it in both College and the pros. Part two will examine his rise to fame in the Chicago and what he thinks of Justin Fields and the current Bears team.

Tell me a story I don’t know is partnered with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and proudly presented by Mr.Duct. mrductcleaning.com. And a book on this podcast entitled, Tell Me Story I Don’t Know: Conversations with Chicago Sports Legends, will be released this fall via Triumph books.

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