Bears, Kristof’s to scare patrons to help out Lake Villa’s Pettry family
The Chicago Bears strike fear in opponents on the football field, but some of them are going to try to bring that fear to Lake County in the name of charity.
At least nine players — and possibly as many as 14 — will work Monday night as actors at the Realm of Terror Haunted House in Round Lake Beach to raise money for the family of William Christopher Pettry of Lake Villa Township. Pettry was killed while in Jacksonville, Fla., to watch the Bears play the Jaguars a few weeks ago.
Steve Kristof, owner of the Realm of Terror, said Bears players — including tight end Matt Spaeth, kicker Robbie Gould, punter Adam Podlesh and linebacker Nick Roach — will be creatures of the night and confront patrons inside and outside the haunted house.
The players will be dressed by his professional makeup team and will wear scary clothing like other actors inside the haunted house, he added.
“However, each player will have their number on them somehow,” Kristof said. “For example, Matt Spaeth may have his number written in blood on his back or something.”
Other players signed up for the event are guard Lance Louis, tackle Gabe Carimi, tight ends Kellen Davis, Gabe Miller and Kyle Adams, wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, and center Edwin Williams. More are expected to join in before the event Monday.
Kristof said he was contacted by Wayne Jett of Sideline Marketing of Crystal Lake about bringing in some players for a Halloween-themed charity function. He said Spaeth came up with the idea, having participated in a similar event in Pittsburgh when he played for the Steelers.
“Matt and some other players were looking for something fun and different, and they came up with this idea,” Kristof said. “I guess they didn’t want to just sit in a chair and sign things or go bowling or whatever. They wanted to have fun and do something they aren’t used to doing.”
Realm of Terror Haunted House is one of the larger haunts in Lake County and Illinois, so it was a natural fit, as was the idea of helping Pettry’s family, Jett said.
“Many players rallied around this cause because of what it meant to them,” he said. “I worked on another fundraiser for the Pettry family, and they are wonderful people. So, I talked with Spaeth and Kristof and everyone decided the charity from Kristofs should go to the Pettrys.”
The cost to enter Realm of Terror when the players are working is $18, and a portion of the door proceeds will be given to the Pettrys. Jett said a charity online auction will take place during the event. The auction will be at Sideline Marketing’s website at sidelinemarketingltd.com.
The Realm of Terror is at Kristof’s Entertainment Center, 421 W. Rollins Road. The doors for the haunt will be open from 7 p.m. until at least 10 p.m.
“It’ll definitely be interesting,” Kristof said. “I’m really interested to see how a 300-pound lineman like Gabe Carimi will do inside the haunt. I’m definitely prepared for things to break.”