Bears name Shameka Leach as their 2023 NFL Fan of the Year nominee
Nov. 10 - The Chicago Bears have officially announced Shameka Leach as their nominee for the NFL Fan of the Year award. The NFL Fan of the Year award, created in partnership with all 32 NFL clubs, aims to honor and celebrate exceptional fans who inspire others through their passion for football. Each NFL club has the opportunity to nominate a local fan to potentially become the ultimate 2023 NFL Fan of the Year during Super Bowl week.
The Chicago Bears nominated Shameka after recognizing her significant involvement in the team's initiatives and in her community. Over the past few years, Shameka has actively supported and volunteered at Bears Huddle events, monthly community service volunteer activities aimed at improving local communities. She has also attended Training Camp for the last two summers in Lake Forest, Ill., and has been a regular participant at Bears watch parties, where she passionately cheers on the team.
Beyond her support for the Bears, Shameka's positive energy has made a significant impact on her local football community. She has played an important role in organizing football camps and financial seminars for less privileged players from Robbins, Ill.
Shameka also consistently volunteers with the Pro Football Retired Players Association in Chicago, Ill., an organization committed to developing programs and benefits to improve the lives of retired NFL players. It's evident that Shameka is not only a passionate Bears fan but also a dedicated advocate for football, actively seeking to create opportunities within her community.
Shameka learned that she was chosen by the Bears as their nominee for Fan of the Year during a Bears home game on Oct. 22 at Soldier Field. Shameka originally believed she was invited to the game by the Bears to act as an honorary referee during the halftime show, which featured Staley Da Bear, inviting some of his closest mascot friends to participate in a seven-on-seven flag football scrimmage game. After the scrimmage game concluded, Staley and his mascot friends gathered around Shameka, cheering for her and presenting her with two large Super Bowl tickets. Meanwhile, the stadium announcer officially declared her as the Bears' 2023 nominee for NFL Fan of the Year in front of 60,000 Bears fans and players.
"When I found out that I was nominated for the Fan of the Year award, I couldn't believe it because I was just being a big fan of my favorite team, the Bears!" said Shameka as she described her surprise experience at Soldier Field. "I was just out there enjoying myself and having a great time with the mascots. But it's an honor and a privilege to represent my #1 team. Now I'm looking forward to sharing this experience with my community and having the opportunity to represent my team, my city and my state at the Super Bowl."
As Fan of the Year for the Chicago Bears, Shameka will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Super Bowl LVIII in Paradise, Nevada, including two tickets and a VIP experience. The ultimate winner will be announced at NFL Honors and will be crowned as the "NFL Fan of the Year" during Super Bowl weekend, providing them with the opportunity to represent their team on one of the NFL's grandest stages.
This marks the fourth edition of the Fan of the Year contest, presented by the NFL. The contest's aim is to honor and celebrate exceptional fans who serve as inspirations through their love and passion for football. Fans can now cast a vote for Shameka Leach as the 2023 NFL Fan of the Year until Feb. 7, 2024, by visiting nfl.com/FanOfTheYear.