George Wendt: Cheers to a True Chicago Super Fan

By Clete Campbell Windy City End Zone Staff Writer

“Welcome to Bill Swerski's Super Fans. I'm Bob Swerski sitting in for my brother Bill who is recovering from his most recent heart attack.

“We're coming to you, as always from Chicago IL, birthplace of the Baby Back Rib and home to a certain, undefeated team which come January, will be hosting, hoisting a certain super bowl trophy over its head.

“A team that is known as Da Bears.”

Bob, AKA Norm,

The immensely talented George Wendt, AKA Bill Swerski, brought Da Super Fans to life.

AKA George Wendt, was a Chicago treasure on par with Navy Pier, Grant Park, the Miracle Mile and Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza. He was a Windy City native and Chicago to the bone, a Second City veteran who entertained America as the world’s most lovable bar fly on the landmark NBC sitcom “Cheers.”

He was Chicago’s Super Fan. He was us. And a part of us passed away when George was called home Tuesday at the age of 76.

“Alright, we’re getting ready to watch the Bears annihilate the Detroit Lions, but first, it’s a good time to reflect on our glorious heritage,” Bob said in one of his great Saturday Night Live “Da Super Fans” mixes of football and Chicago tradition. “And here to help us out with their annual presentation, is the sixth graders over at St. Ignatius, led by Tommy Arnold, nephew of our own Pat Arnold.”

By George, the Good Lord gave us one of his most colorful characters in George Wendt, who offered us one of the timeless sports questions that still has a stumped.

Bob: If I may shift gears for a moment gentleman, coach Ditka vs. The Hurricane, who would win?

Todd, Pat, Carl: Ditka, Ditka!!

Bob: Hold on, Hold on, Hold on. The name of the Hurricane is Hurricane Ditka

Rest Easy, Norm, and don’t worry about packing your Milke Bone underwear up in Heaven. You’re no longer cheering Da Bears in a dog-eat-dog world.