(670 The Score) The first time Les Grobstein attended a game between the Bears and Packers was late in Chicago’s championship season in 1963. He sat in the first row at Wrigley Field and recalled his grandfather taunting the great Vince Lombardi.
Les relished in the Bears’ 61-7 win over the Packers in 1980 – “KMA, I wish they would’ve run it up more on them,” he later said – and forever despised the Packers' Charles Martin for his cheap shot on Bears quarterback Jim McMahon in 1986. He attended games at Soldier Field and Lambeau Field, Wrigley Field and even old County Stadium, both freezing away in the bleachers and watching from a press box.
On Sunday night, the Bears and Packers will play for the 205th time in their storied rivalry, and it will mark the first game between them since Les passed away in January. He attended 108 games played between Chicago and Green Bay, and perhaps only Bears matriarch Virginia McCaskey has that number beat.
The games between the Bears and Packers won’t be the same without Les, who was the essence of the rivalry. He was the keeper of so much history from the games, with countless stories to share. At his core, he truly hated the Packers and everything they represented.
Like everything with Les, it was genuine.
Les once told me that his hatred of the Packers really began when he was 16 years old while attending a game at Wrigley Field on a frigid day in December 1968. The Bears had the chance to make the playoffs if they earned a win over their rivals, who were led that day by backup quarterback Don Horn, who was playing for an injured Bart Starr.
Horn led the Packers to a stunning 28-27 win over the Bears, and Green Bay fans celebrated in a way Les seemed to never forgive. That was the game when his dislike of the Packers began in earnest.
“They were really obnoxious, and they were making me sick,” Les once said before adding some colorful words.
While most credentialed media sought to carry a level of objectivity, Les was one of a kind in every way – including with this rivalry. He was authentically himself, and it was constantly clear on radio. When a caller from Green Bay would dial into Score Overnight, he was eager to chirp back. He was the voice of the fan.
Back in 2018 when the Bears blew a 20-0 lead and lost 24-23 to the Packers in stunning fashion, I was a guest on Les’ postgame show. With countless storylines to break down from that night, the conversation quickly shifted from Matt Nagy’s first game as Bears head coach to how Les will never forgive Martin for his hit on McMahon.
Those feelings from Les were all so real and part of the upbringing for a man with the heart of gold.
Les had countless memories and stories to share. It’s what we hold onto eight months after his passing. As the Bears and Packers meet once again, these games now have a void.
Our dear friend Les was the best of this rivalry – and the best of us.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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