Bobby Delmore, an Illinois State University senior, is an intern with the Chicago bears' athletic training staff this camp. The Daily Journal/Nicholas Holstein
Some of the biggest news coming out of this year’s Chicago Bears Training Camp has been on the injury front.
Cornerback Charles Tillman had back surgery, cornerback Zack Bowman suffered a hamstring injury and defensive tackle Tommie Harris has sat out much of practice because of knee and hamstring issues.
And as the Bears try to keep their players on the field, a Bourbonnais native is lending a hand.
Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School alumnus Bobby Delmore is working with the Bears on an athletic training internship. Delmore, heading into his senior year at Illinois State University, helps the Bears’ athletic training staff prevent and treat injuries.
Delmore first heard about the possibility of interning with the Bears a few years ago when his parents met Tim Bream, the Bears’ head athletic trainer, at a dinner.
“I had mentioned to him that my son is an athletic training major,” said Joe Delmore, Bobby’s father. “And (Bream) asked where Bobby went to school at. When I said he went to Illinois State, (Bream) said, ‘We usually take someone from there (as a summer intern). They’ve got a good program.’”
Joe Delmore said Bream told him to have his son apply once he became a junior.
After sending in his resume and doing an interview, Bobby Delmore landed a job with the team this summer, giving him a taste of professional athletics.
“I knew it would be good just being in the environment of professional sports,” he said, “seeing how things are run, and how that differs from in high school and college. It’s definitely exceeded my expectations.”
Although the Bears may practice for only a few hours each day, Delmore’s responsibilities extend beyond time on the field.
“It’s really an all-day thing,” he said. “We go in the morning (before practice), and we’re out there during and after practice. Before practice, it’s mostly getting supplies ready and making sure all taping is done. Post-practice, we do some rehabilitation work and ice bags and stuff like that.”
During practice, the interns split into groups based on player positions and concentrate on keeping the players hydrated, Delmore said.
The amount of interaction Delmore has with the players varies daily, but overall, they have been “great” to work with.
Still, being able to work with and learn from the Bears’ training staff has been the best part, Delmore said.
“That’s probably the best thing — working as a team,” he said. “Just kind of the interaction with the full staff. It’s cool to compare and learn things from them. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.”
