Idaho tough: Colston Loveland’s journey to the Chicago Bears |
Tony Crumpton
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- 10 hours ago
New Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland addressed the media on Friday at Halas Hall after being drafted 10th overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Watch his first media interview as a member of the Bears:
Video summary/cliff-notes:
(00:01) Loveland expressed excitement and surprise at being drafted by the Bears, saying he felt good about the call and is eager to win games with the team.
(00:32) He shared that he was at a draft party in Gooding, Idaho, with elk in the background and a friend already had a custom Bears jersey with his name on it.
(01:30) Talked about his childhood rodeo experiences (goat tying, calf riding) and why he stopped—choosing football and basketball instead of investing in rodeo gear.
(01:58) Explained what "Idaho tough" means to him: hard work, blue-collar values, and growing up in a small, rugged community.
(02:24) Described branding calves on his aunt and uncle’s farm as part of his upbringing—an annual family event where he sometimes skipped school.
(03:54) Reflected on adapting to life in Michigan and bonding with teammates from bigger cities; said he's always been personable and enjoys meeting new people.
(04:45) Believes his rural, hard-working upbringing directly contributed to his football success through discipline and consistency.
(05:21) Shared memories of building wire fences as a kid and how physically demanding it was—relating it to toughness and work ethic.
(06:21) Cited Nico Collins, Sam LaPorta, and Evan Engram as influences on his route running, which he honed from being a receiver early on.
(06:48) Gave an update on his shoulder recovery post-surgery (3 months into a 6-month timeline), saying he's feeling good and can run and catch.
(08:11) Said he adjusted quickly to the spotlight at Michigan, viewing football as the same game no matter the stage—staying grounded helped him.
(09:04) Recalled his first college touchdown at Ohio State as a breakout moment, emphasizing the importance of not dropping the ball.
(09:44) Talked about Jim Harbaugh visiting his hometown, working out together at 7:30 a.m.—highlighting Harbaugh’s hands-on nature.
(10:41) Described Gooding, Idaho as a very small town surrounded by cattle, windmills, and fields, with Boise being the nearest major airport.
