Bears' Pernell McPhee Avenges 'Personal' Grudge With Aaron Rodgers
By Chris Emma—
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) – The comments made by Aaron Rodgers after the Packers' 31-23 win over the Bears in September seemed innocent enough to those outside of Halas Hall and likely to many inside the facility.
Not known as one for controversial comments, Rodgers expressed joy after the season-opening win at Soldier Field.
"It's always fun beating the Bears," Rodgers said to the media after the Sept. 13 game.
On Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field, the Bears got even with Rodgers and the Packers, earning a 17-13 win over Green Bay. After the game, the team celebrated in the locker room, even carrying coach John Fox around as music played.
The Bears savored this victory over their division rival. It got them to 5-6 on the season, closer to the postseason push, and acted as apparent revenge on Rodgers. Linebacker Pernell McPhee -- the man who said the strategy to contain Rodgers was to "hit his ass" -- felt the bad blood flowing as he took to Lambeau Field.
"This game going in was personal," McPhee said. "C'mon, the quarterback said he loves beating up on us. Who does he think we are? We're not the team we were last year, two years ago, three years ago. It's 2015 Chicago."
Rodgers had won three straight games against the Bears entering Thanksgiving, with 13 touchdowns, zero interceptions and 806 passing yards during that span. He was unstoppable at times, including his six-touchdown first half in the 55-14 embarrassment of Chicago last November in Green Bay.
During that dark night for the Bears at Lambeau Field, McPhee was in Baltimore as a member of the Ravens. But he admittedly felt the hatred flowing for his second Bears-Packers game, thanks to the words from Rodgers.
McPhee wasn't alone in feeling slighted by Rodgers. This was present on the minds of many Bears, including receiver Alshon Jeffery, who broke from his normally reserved tone last week to assure that there would be no drubbing this year. Jeffery guaranteed a different result.
"A lot of guys take it personally," McPhee said. "Especially when somebody says, 'Oh, I love beating up on your brother.' I'm not going to let anybody come beat my brother up. We went in there and we slapped them on his ass. They need to go ask him how that feels."
Rodgers finished Thursday's game 22-of-43 for202 yards, one touchdown and interception. In the final minute, the Packers faced first-and-goal at the Bears' 8-yard line, looking to take the lead. Rodgers threw four incompletions, and Chicago sealed the win.
Upon surviving the goal-line stand, the Bears defense sprinted off the field and began the celebration on the sidelines, before taking it into the locker room. Thanksgiving was a success for McPhee and his teammates, who took a major step forward collectively and avenged a personal grudge with the Packers.
"It was great," McPhee said. "Our turkey was great, Thanksgiving was great. That's it."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.