Cole Kmet Shares Awards and Thoughts on Potential Bears' Relocation to Arlington Heights
Close to his old high school stomping ground and a stone's throw away from a potential new home for his pro team, Bears tight end Cole Kmet found himself in a contemplative mood. He was back in Arlington Heights to honor a pair of talented student-athletes.
As Kmet, a Lake Barrington native and former star of St. Viator High School, handed out the 2023 BODYARMOR Series soccer player of the year awards, the subject of the Bears' potential move to the northwest suburbs inevitably came up. Kmet, standing on the same turf he once ruled as a high school Lion at Roosevelt University Sports Complex, seemed all in favor of the idea.
"That would be cool," shared Kmet. "I understand there have been a few bumps in the road recently, but it would be amazing if it actually happens. We'll just have to wait and see."
While a potential relocation is years away, Kmet is focused on continuing to build his NFL legacy as he steps into his fourth year with the Bears. The league has offered him numerous opportunities to revisit his roots, like the award-giving ceremony on Wednesday. At this event, he delighted two student-athletes, Addison Stanciak from Warren Township and Naperville Central's Chase Adams, with surprise BODYARMOR Series MVP awards. The announcement was preceded by a light-hearted skit featuring Kmet and the students, with the MVP belts presented by a U.S. Marines representative.
Reflecting on his first foray into acting, Kmet jokingly admitted, "I don't think it went great." However, he quickly added, "At the end of the day it worked out well, and we got to honor two deserving individuals with fantastic awards."
As he approaches a crucial season with the Bears, the last one on his rookie four-year contract, Kmet is mindful of his performances. His 2022 season saw him reach career-best figures with seven touchdowns and 50 receptions for 544 yards across 17 games.
For Kmet, moments like Wednesday's award ceremony are not taken lightly. He relishes the chance to live out his dreams in the same area where he once dreamed them.
