The Chicago Bears Do Not Harbor Terrorists

In 2005, the Carolina Panthers cut their leading receiver, Muhsin Muhammad. Within 10 hours, the Chicago Bears swooped in and signed him to a six-year, $30 million contract. After a season of 1,420 yards and 16 TDs with Carolina (both tops in the NFL), Muhammad was never able to replicate the same level of success in the windy city. Despite helping his team to two division titles in three seasons, he only recorded 12 TDs in his tenure with the Bears and his per game yardage was almost cut in half. If he didn't stop to pray five times a game, maybe he would've been more effective. Regardless, the veteran leader of the Bears' receiving corps has been cut.

Even though Chicago had better receiving options the past few seasons, Moose remained one of my favorite players with the team. I always found myself making excuses for why he was dropping passes, not getting separation from his defender, and committing Jihad during timeouts. But he always made key blocks, ran precise routes, and even caught a game-winning TD now and again. In an era in which wide receivers are the most self-indulgent egomaniacs in professional sports, Muhsin always stays humble and plays for his teammates.

Muhammad's contributions off the field are just as noteworthy as his playing career. He started The M2 Foundation, which strives to help children develop physically and mentally. He promotes the Back to Nature program, a camping trip that takes kids through the Great Smokey Mountains. He is a supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Men for Change, which raises money for women's shelters. And in 2007, his family adopted two impoverished children from Ethiopia. Muhsin truly is one of the Five Pillars of his community.

I'm a Bears fan for reasons I can't explain. They won a Super Bowl when I was two-years-old, but have been relatively quiet once I stopped chewing on my toes. Aside from Urlacher and Singletary, they haven't had a marquee player in years and their list of quarterbacks is an orgy of ineptitude. So am I cheering for their jerseys? For the Halas family? For wind? Whatever it is, I'll always be a proud supporter of the Bears, even if it means leaving Moose out in the cold. I may be saying, "oh Shiite" now, but I'm hopeful that Sunni skies lie ahead.So what if he's Christian? Have a sense of humor!