America is known for many top level sports leagues, such as Major League Baseball, the National Basketball League, and the National Hockey League.  But the biggest league in America continues to be the National Football League – or the NFL.  Though baseball is considered “America’s pastime”, football has long been the most popular sport in the country.  In Chicago, the Bears are the most beloved team, so when football season starts, it’s a really big deal.  

In Japan, it can be hard to watch football.  Most football games take place on Sunday – though there are also games on Thursdays and Mondays – and many of them start at noon central time.  To watch a Bears game at noon, I have to stay up until 2am!!!  This is obviously pretty difficult, so I can almost never watch Bears season openers live.  This year was different, though.  The Bears played on a Thursday evening in Chicago, which is 9am on Friday in Japan!  It worked out perfectly, and I was able to watch the whole game.  The Bears ended up losing, but it was still great to be able to enjoy a live football game and talk to my friends back home at the same time!