Clearly, we believe that we produce the best Chicago Bears content online. Period. We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t read other sites or appreciate intelligent feedback from anyone with a pulse other Bears fans/sports fans in general. So try to imagine our glee when we seemingly received contact from Nathan Vasher’s mother, not once, but twice.

Before I begin: Trust me, I know. Anyone can write anything and under any name. And even as I write this, I’m not exactly sure what I intend to accomplish. But the coincidence is just too considerable, and the randomness too burdensome to fake, to leave it alone.

Moving on. On August 21, I wrote “The Rise And Fall Of Nathan Vasher” — a post about the sliding play of Vasher over the last two years. It generated, for us anyway, a solid amount of feedback, with most being fairly positive and forgiving of Vasher. Then, this comment:

“YA’LL LEAVE ‘MY’ BABY ALONE!

(oops – the “Manic” side of PIPOLAR)”

Signed by “Monica Vasher”.

My initial thought is “how weird: post about Vasher commented on by person with same last name.” A simple Google search revealed an article confirming Monica Vasher to be the name of Nate’s mom. Making it weirder, and frankly quite sad, is the article’s detailed account of Monica’s battle with bi-polar disorder.

I consider the comment a joke — albeit, a horrible one — and dismiss it.

On November 6, I write “Oh, Look It Here: Nathan Vasher Is Making A Comeback” prompted by Vasher’s move, sort of, to free safety. Honestly, nobody really cares, and I forget about it.

Then, today:

“I believe in Nate and given a real chance he can and will “come back”. Everyone on the team has made mistakes as you can see from our records from the beginning. They will not give up on the others why give up on Nate? I like seeing him play at different positions. It makes him try even harder to let you know he has not given up. (Still Nate’s biggest fan)”

Signed by “Monica Vasher”.

Oh my fucking God! Is the same “prankster” trolling our blog for only Vasher-related posts in order to leave comments posing as Vasher’s mother? Why the hell would anyone do this? Then I thought — oh my fucking God!  — is Nathan Vasher’s mom really leaving us comments? Which, for the record, would be the most awesomest thing ever.

The only way I know how to go about this is to check the e-mail associated with both comments — they were identical — and send “Monica Vasher” an e-mail asking her to confirm her identity and to please send me an autographed 2006 Pro Bowl jersey (kidding).

As of 10:30 P.M. central time tonight, I haven’t gotten a response, but if it turns out to indeed be Nathan Vasher’s mom — I swear to God, the rest of our posts will be about Kate Beckinsale’s kids.

*UPDATE: Last night, I sent the following e-mail to commenter Monica Vasher:

“Hi Monica,

I noticed that you have commented on our blog twice now on posts about Chicago Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher. I also understand that Monica Vasher is the name of Nate’s mother. Is this you? I just think it would be really cool if it was, and I would want to express my appreciation for you taking the time to comment.

Let me know!

Thank you,

–
Shea Johnson
Blog Down, Chicago Bears“

No more than 40 minutes later, I got this in response:

“YES, I HAVE TO ADMIT IT’S ME! I AM GLAD HE DOES NOT READ THEM OR I WILL BE IN  BIG TROUBLE! BUT SOMETIMES I CAN’T KEEP MY E-MAILS QUITE. (lol)”

So there you have it.

But to make this even more surreal, I follow up:

“Well, I’m flattered that you read us, presumably only when we write about Nate though. lol. I’m a big fan of his and I’m hoping he bounces back in a big way. If you ever want to write anything on behalf of Nate, just let me know.”

To which Monica Vasher writes:

“THANK YOU.  I DON’T KNOW, BUT I FEEL CLOSER TO HIM WHEN I READ YOUR COMMENTS.  THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING.  (ALSO A FAN OF YOURS~~~~~~~~KEEP IT REAL SO I CAN GET THE BEST POSSIBLE NEWS)”

Fuck the world, Nathan Vasher’s mother is a fan of ours. Again, probably only when we write about Nate, but oh well. Not only is Monica Vasher the nicest lady for even bothering to comment, but — then to respond to our e-mails as well is just damn cool.

It evidently says just an another something about the sports blogosphere and it’s impact on the sports world. It was one thing when your regular sports fan started to look elsewhere than major media for their sports news, but now pro athletes and their families are too.

Blog Down, Chicago Bears: The one blog Nathan Vasher’s mom reads when she is reading one.