The Chicago Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers yesterday, depriving Bear fans the chance to chest beat and bray our dominance in football. The last minute gonged defeat and I joined other fans who swapped mad for sad, although sadness was the communal feeling.

It’s easier to express mad. It’s noisy. It’s short-lived. It’s acceptable, and has a manly mien. Primarily, it’s about other. “Gee, who was nutty enough to call that time out? Did our defense show up or did they forget they came to play?”

Sad is harder to express. It’s quiet. It has a tendency to linger. It’s wimpy, almost feminine. Primarily, it’s about us. Somebody else is better than we are. Now we can’t dress and act like kids on a sugar high and get away with it. We picked the wrong side to support. We need a hug.

Coach Lovey Smith and his team need one, too.