Growing up in Chicago, Texans offensive guard Jeff Allen was an unabashed fan of the hometown Bears. He regularly went to games at Soldier Field.
Some of his favorite players included linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, kick returner Devin Hester and offensive linemen Roberto Garza and James "Big Cat" Williams.
Now, Allen will play against the Bears on Sunday in his regular-season debut for the Texans after signing a four-year, $28 million contract this offseason.
"I grew up a fan of the Bears, but now it's just another game for me," said Allen, who went to Martin Luther King High School in Chicago where he starred on both sides of the line before signing with Illinois.