Green Bay Packers Fan Suing Chicago Bears Seems Perfectly Sane

For once, we’re not joking around. We told you about Russell Beckman earlier this week.

He’s suing the Chicago Bears because they wouldn’t allow him to wear Green Bay Packers gear on the sidelines prior to one of their games. Beckman is a Bears (and Packers) season ticket holder. As the former, the team allows him special semi-exclusive experiences, like hanging out on the sidelines prior to a game.

Beckman has thrice chosen the Packers-Bears game for this privilege. Twice he was allowed to wear his Packers gear. In 2016, he was denied.

Thus, the lawsuit.

Deadspin tracked down Beckman, who lives in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, and asked him about the suit. If you had assumed he was some sort of fanatic out for publicity, you would appear to be off base.

Beckman explained that he first tried to work things out with the Bears. When that failed, he sent a letter to commissioner Roger Goodell asking for a resolution (and stating that he would file a lawsuit minus one). He received no reply and so now we’re here.

“I think people understand the big picture, and know that I’m really not trying to make this into a big deal. I mean this is not some noble crusade I am on. This is all about me. I have an issue with the Bears about a very specific thing. We can’t resolve it so we’re going to court.”

A couple other interesting points.

Beckman has Bears season tickets only to go to the Packers game and not pay a mint for it. He sells or gives the rest of the tickets away.

He’s representing himself in the suit and is well aware of what that means: “Maybe some people will think I’m foolish to do that. That old cliche, “someone who represents themselves has a fool for a client.” But you know what, this is not something earthshaking. The worst thing that happens is I lose, but I’m not in any peril. But I think the stakes in this are straightforward enough.”

Go read the whole thing.