The historic rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers has become a deeply ingrained part of both teams' cultures, with many players born into this enmity. Cole Kmet, the Bears tight end, and Lukas Van Ness, the Packers defensive end, are siblings who have grown up with this hatred for each other.
Despite their familial connection, the two players seem to be at odds. When Kmet's sister, Frankie, asked him for tickets to a game during rivalry week, he simply sent her the tickets without responding further. In contrast, Van Ness had the better seats given to visiting players.
Their families' backgrounds also reveal the depth of this animosity. Jayden Reed, a Packers wide receiver born in Chicago and raised in Aurora, was actually "born into" hating the Bears. His favorite player was Devin Hester, another Pro Football Hall of Famer who is revered by both teams. However, when the Packers drafted him in the second round, all that changed.
The rivalry transcends generations, as Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett noted: "It's just to be part of a historical rivalry within itself, that's something special." Most players didn't grow up with this animosity, but it quickly became apparent during rookie orientation.
Newcomer Jayden Reed was told about the rivalry by his coaches and learned that both teams' fans despise each other. Even defensive tackle Jonathan Ford, who played for the Bears before being cut and then signed by the Packers, observed that fan bases hate each other equally.
Bears tight end Cole Kmet feels a strong sense of rivalry with the Packers: "It means a lot... It almost feels like we've played these guys five or six times here in the past month."
Despite their familial connection, the two players seem to be at odds. When Kmet's sister, Frankie, asked him for tickets to a game during rivalry week, he simply sent her the tickets without responding further. In contrast, Van Ness had the better seats given to visiting players.
Their families' backgrounds also reveal the depth of this animosity. Jayden Reed, a Packers wide receiver born in Chicago and raised in Aurora, was actually "born into" hating the Bears. His favorite player was Devin Hester, another Pro Football Hall of Famer who is revered by both teams. However, when the Packers drafted him in the second round, all that changed.
The rivalry transcends generations, as Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett noted: "It's just to be part of a historical rivalry within itself, that's something special." Most players didn't grow up with this animosity, but it quickly became apparent during rookie orientation.
Newcomer Jayden Reed was told about the rivalry by his coaches and learned that both teams' fans despise each other. Even defensive tackle Jonathan Ford, who played for the Bears before being cut and then signed by the Packers, observed that fan bases hate each other equally.
Bears tight end Cole Kmet feels a strong sense of rivalry with the Packers: "It means a lot... It almost feels like we've played these guys five or six times here in the past month."
I'm kinda surprised how much of an impact this rivalry has on the players, especially since some of them didn't grow up with it. Like, Jayden Reed went from being a Bears fan to hating their team after they drafted him... that's wild 
. And Cole Kmet just kinda gives his sister tickets without even responding? That's cold 
. On the other hand, I feel for Van Ness - he must be loving the better seats 
. It's like, can't we all just get along? 
Maybe it's part of what makes the games so exciting, but still...
. It's wild to think that this historic rivalry has become so ingrained in both teams' cultures that it even affects family relationships 
. The fact that players like Kmet and Van Ness are going up against each other on the field is just a bonus – it's all about the game at the end of the day 
.
. like, can't we all just get along? (just kidding, it's football)
. gotta wonder how many players don't even know their own family members, they're so caught up in the hate
I mean, can you imagine having a sibling who's basically your arch-nemesis on the football field? 
Their families' history is pretty wild too, especially Jayden Reed's story about growing up hating the Bears because of Devin Hester.