Loyola’s Vaughn Pemberton (21) celebrates his touchdown against Brother Rice. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times
Loyola goes wire to wire in the top spot.
Loyola finishes the season right where they started, in the top spot of the Super 25 rankings.
The Ramblers weren’t dethroned at any point this season. All six teams they defeated were ranked at some point this season and five of their opponents finish the season in the Super 25.
Lincoln-Way East was the other contender for the final top spot. The Griffins are a perfect 6-0 but their strength of schedule falls short of Loyola’s. They beat two teams that were ranked at some point this season (Bolingbrook and Homewood-Flossmoor), but no teams in the final rankings.
Cellphones have a way of interrupting things — conversations, movies, silence.
John Mitchell’s cellphone interrupted a bullet.
It was in his sweatshirt pocket as Mitchell, coffee in hand, exited a Logan Square gas station and entered the sights of a carjacker’s handgun.
It was the morning of Feb. 24 and a few degrees above freezing.
There were two shots. One grazed his hand. The other, headed for his torso, slammed into his iPhone.
“The phone was disintegrated, you know what I mean? It started on fire. I thought I was hit. I looked down and just started yelling ‘Call the police!'” he recalled.
In a heartbeat, Mitchell, 57, a city plumbing inspector from Edison Park, gained membership in a very small club of people in Chicago saved from serious injury — or worse — by a something that happened to be on their body.
For Chicago Police Officer Frederico Andaverde, it was a wallet.
The leather billfold stopped a bullet during a West Side shootout in September 2003.
The slug tore through cash, credit cards, pictures of his children and his ID before stopping just short of his health insurance card.
Andaverde, now 51 and still a cop, received a nasty bruise and several “Buns of Steel” workout videos from colleagues.
His wallet was never returned; it’s being held as evidence in case the man charged in the shooting, who fled the country, is arrested again.
“But the money, that they returned to me,” said Andaverde, who received one of the city’s highest honors for bravery after the shooting. “I argued that I needed it to pay bills.”
He laminated a $20 bill and keeps it in his wallet — a sobering reminder.
It’s unclear how many people could sit at a table with Mitchell and Andaverde to tell a similar tale. Nobody tracks such cases.
Reaching out to Chicago hospitals, police and fire personnel and others who work with victims of gun violence yields a common response: “Let me ask around and see if anyone remembers anything like this.”
Last summer, Grace Chang, a trauma surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital on the West Side, treated a man who had keys, a brass knuckle and several coins in his pocket that stopped a bullet. The coins shattered, and pieces of the metal became embedded under his skin. But the wounds were superficial.
“I told him, ‘You’re very lucky, you should go buy a lottery ticket,'” Chang recalled.
“The longer you practice, the more you realize you see more things that really can’t be explained … life is kind of weird,” Chang said.
In 2017, a man who thought he’d been shot after hearing gunfire on a West Side street ended up in Mount Sinai’s emergency room, but doctors were puzzled when they removed his clothes and couldn’t find a bullet wound, just a couple of scratches, recalled Jhoanna Gulmatico, program coordinator for trauma service at the hospital.
The mystery was solved when they checked his pants and found a shattered iPhone with bullet fragments in it.
“We thought it was basically his saving grace,” Gulmatico said.
The chances of an iPhone stopping a bullet depend on several factors, including distance, trajectory and the type of gun and bullet, said Tom Gamboe, a forensic scientist with the Illinois State Police. “And if there was a case on the iPhone, that would help, too,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to put an iPhone in the breast pocket of my shirt and say, ‘Go ahead and shoot me, and let’s see if it does anything,'” he said.
A Chicago cop responding to the mass shooting at Mercy Hospital in 2018 was saved from serious injury when his holstered handgun stopped a bullet.
A Chicago police officer’s holster and gun stopped a bullet at the 2018 mass shooting at Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville.Chicago Police Department
“This sort of thing happened a few times over the course of my career,” said former Chicago Police Supt. Phil Cline, who retired in 2007 after four decades with the department and now heads the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.
Mitchell, who’s daughter came in from Kentucky to be with her dad after his brush with gun violence, is just glad to be alive.
“I’m Catholic, and I tell you what, I pray to God. And you better believe I’ve been praying more,” he said.
The miniseries games have been fairly kind to the Bulls this season.
There was an introduction to them in late December, as they waltzed into the nation’s capital, beating the Wizards in both games, including a 28-point outburst from former forward Otto Porter Jr. in Game 2.
Then in early February, Tom Thibodeau returned to his old stomping grounds, earning the split in Chicago in two very physical games.
And then a few days later, the Bulls were off to Disney, watching then-Magic center Nikola Vucevic score a career-high 43 points against them, only to win the rematch a night later.
The sample size is small, but solid.
It better be.
“It’s a must-win game for us, so we got to come out ready to compete,” guard Coby White said of what’s coming on Monday. “We know that.”
They also know that they have put themselves in must-win mode over the final 12 games of the season if they want any chance to play a meaningful game for the first time since the “Three Alphas” – Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo – were playing together in the real basketball mecca back in 2017.
One major problem? The schedule. As of Sunday, the Bulls have only six wins against teams currently sitting .500 or better. Of the 12 games they have left, nine teams are sitting above that .500 mark.
Of the 12 games the Wizards have left – the team the Bulls are chasing for that final play-in spot, six are against teams .500 or better.
The path will not be easy, starting on Monday in the rematch with the Heat.
At Miami – The Bulls used their size to overcome a 20-point halftime deficit, so there’s a blueprint for the rematch. Considering the inconsistencies going on with Miami, give the Bulls the much-needed win as they head to the Big Apple. Win – 26-35 record.
At New York – No NBA team is playing better than Thibodeau’s blue-collar crew. Physicality has been Bulls kryptonite all season long, and is again on Wednesday. Loss – 26-36 record.
Milwaukee – The Bucks haven’t lost a division game all season long, and won’t start with the team that hasn’t beat them since Dec. 26, 2017, when Nikola Mirotic went off for 26 points. Loss – 26-37 record.
At Atlanta – The hope is Zach LaVine could be back for this game and Trae Young (ankle) won’t be. That’s a lot of hope against a team the Bulls haven’t had much success against this season. Loss – 26-38 record.
Philadelphia – The 76ers are mortal on the road and always seem to be undermanned when they play the Bulls, but Joel Embiid & Co. are chasing the Nets for top seed. Loss – 26-39 record.
At Charlotte – One of the few postseason-bound teams the Bulls have handled this year, and that trend continues. Win – 27-39 record.
Boston – The win over the enigma that is the Celtics back on April 19 was solid. However, Boston has more on the line as it tries to get right going into the playoffs. Loss – 27-40 record.
At Detroit – The Pistons have been in tank mode for months, and the Bulls help them with the process. Win – 28-40 record.
Brooklyn – Who knows who even plays for most talented/strangest collection of players on the planet. The Bulls beat the Nets short-handed once, but not this time. Loss – 28-41 record.
Toronto – Like the Bulls, the Raptors are fighting for a play-in game. The Bulls will be looking for the season sweep, and get it. Win – 29-41 record.
At Brooklyn – Nets will hopefully have their fate decided and will do what they seemingly do best – rest guys. Win – 30-41 record.
Milwaukee – Like the Nets, the Bucks are in R&R mode, getting ready for the playoffs. Win – 31-41 record.
Bulls finish a game behind Washington, missing the last play-in spot, and praying for lottery nirvana.
At least two people were killed and 14 others wounded in shootings since 5 p.m. April 23, 2021 in Chicago. | Sun-Times file photo
Bryone Dupart was found lying unresponsive on the street Friday night in the 900 block of West 61st Street.
Two people were killed and 14 others wounded in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend, including a man who was killed Friday night in Englewood on the South Side.
About 10:35 p.m., officers found the 27-year-old lying unresponsive on the street in the 900 block of West 61st Street, Chicago police said.
He had suffered gunshot wounds to the abdomen and leg and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
He was identified as Bryone Dupart by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
There were no witnesses to the shooting and no additional details available, according to police.
A 36-year-old man was shot to death early Sunday in Humboldt Park on the Northwest Side.
Duntae Manuel was sitting in a vehicle about 12:30 a.m. in the 3900 block of West Thomas Street when the gunman approached him on foot and fired shots, police said.
He was shot in the head and body and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t yet released details on his death.
In nonfatal attacks, a man was shot Saturday morning in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
The 62-year-old was standing outside about 6:10 a.m. in the 3900 block of West Monroe Street when someone opened fire, striking him in the leg, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital.
Also Saturday, a 16-year-old boy was shot in Little Village on the Southwest Side.
About 5:10 p.m., he was standing in the 3300 block of West 28th Street, when a vehicle approached, two people got out and fired shots, police said. He was struck in both legs, the hand, and rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital in good condition.
At least 12 others were wounded in shootings since 5 p.m. Friday.
ChicagoBears (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Some may think it’s going to be difficult for the Chicago Bears to have an impactful draft haul in the 2021 NFL Draft.
However, that notion is simply because there isn’t an easy way for general manager Ryan Pace to move up and secure his franchise quarterback of the future. After all, that’s the most important position in football and the Bears have continually failed at solidifying it.
Specifically, Pace has failed at solidifying the quarterback position as he’s now on his fourth actual attempt at doing so. Previous tries include Mike Glennon, Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles — one could also mention Mark Sanchez if we’re getting picky.
The tough part about this year’s draft is that the Bears sit in the back half of the draft after a season where it felt as though they should be much higher in the pecking order. At the 20th overall pick, it’s going to be a miracle if the Bears see one of the top five quarterbacks fall. So, if they are all gone and the Bears stay at 20, what happens next?
Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears could be in for a non-sexy pick at no. 20 overall.
Without the opportunity to select a top-tier quarterback in the first round, Pace is going to have to settle for the best player available at no. 20. It sounds odd putting it that way, having to “settle” for the best player there. But, again, fans care most about the quarterback position.
Outside of the top seven or eight picks, the first round could end up being a wild ride. Bears fans truly don’t know what to expect in terms of players available for Chicago in the first round. But, if we trust the experts, it’s not too difficult to project the most likely scenario.
In several recent consensus mock drafts, these are the most common players whom are being drafted ahead of the Bears’ number 20 pick:
With that in mind, the following five players are going to be the most likely available at pick 20 for the Bears. Not only that, but these are the top five best available if the previous players are off the board.
A man was fatally shot April 25, 2021 in Humboldt Park. | Sun-Times file photo
The 36-year-old was sitting in a vehicle Sunday in the 3900 block of West Thomas Street when the gunman approached him on foot and fired shots, police said.
A man was shot to death early Sunday in Humboldt Park on the Northwest Side.
The 36-year-old was sitting in a vehicle about 12:30 a.m. in the 3900 block of West Thomas Street when the gunman approached him on foot and fired shots, Chicago police said.
He was shot in the head and body and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on his death.
No one is in custody as Area Four detectives investigate.
The man was standing in the sidewalk with several people Saturday in the 4500 block of North Kedzie Avenue when someone fired shots after a verbal altercation, police said.
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Libra.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
When talking to partners and close friends, you will prefer to discuss serious, practical matters. (You will keep your emotional life to yourself.) Your stance on issues will be conservative and safe because you don’t want to go out on a limb. Not today. Common sense will prevail.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This will be a productive day for you because you’re in a serious frame of mind, which means you want to get a lot done. Furthermore, whatever you do, you will do with thoroughness and attention to detail. You will make mistakes. It will please you to finish what you begin.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
You will enjoy teaching children or coaching them in sports if you have a chance today. You might also teach them some history or information about the past and how it can affect the present and the future because you have the wisdom to see this continuity.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
This is a good day to ask for the advice or counsel from an older family member. No doubt, they will be glad and perhaps flattered that you asked them. Meanwhile, you can use all the practical advice you can get! (After all, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.)
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
This is a good day for study and learning because you have the emotional patience to do so. You will be persevering and dogged in whatever you do. A discussion with someone older might be helpful to you. You will also enjoy making long-range plans.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
You’ll be serious about money and your possessions. You might want to repair or clean something that you own. If you’re shopping, you will buy sensible, practical items — no ostrich boas today! You might also make some financial plans for the future.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
The moon is in your sign dancing with stern Saturn, which gives you a more sober and realistic view of life. It makes you patient with others as well as conditions around you. It also makes you psychologically strong if you have to face challenges or difficulties.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
You will enjoy a chance to go off by yourself because you want to think about something or evaluate it, especially if you’re thinking about future plans. Basically, you’re in a sensible frame of mind today, which is why you are concerned with practical matters.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Someone older or more experienced might talk to you today. If so, there’s a strong likelihood they will have good advice for you or some kind of practical counsel. Whatever they say might affect your future goals? Be open-minded.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You make a great impression on bosses, parents and people in authority because they see you as reliable, conscientious and thorough in whatever you do. This will please you because you like to make a great impression on important people. (Who doesn’t?)
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You will make great headway today if you have to study something. Not only is this a good day to study, it’s also an excellent day to write a paper or finish a manuscript. You might make future travel plans or deal with paperwork concerning legal or medical matters.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
You won’t overlook details if you’re dealing with anything related to inheritances, taxes, debt and insurance issues because you are in a patient frame of mind. You also have the mental endurance to finish what you begin, which will make you feel pleased afterward. (Natch!)
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Hank Azaria (1964) shares your birthday. You have high energy. You enjoy mental and physical challenges. You are a friendly, outgoing optimist who has strong ideals. You believe the best of people. Because you like a challenge, you will love the opportunity to learn something new this year either through school or an opportunity to apprentice. Not only will you learn, you might even teach.
In the previous weekend article, I mentioned that Marz Community Brewing was opening a new taproom, the Life on Marz Community Club, in the Logan Square neighborhood. Now we hear that the taproom Still Life by Solemn Oath, will be opening at 2919 W. Armitage Ave. on May 15. Detail from the Tribune’s Josh Noel.
While I’ve tried to keep up with last-minute announcements, you can find more up-to-date listings at my sort-of-an-app.
Monday, April 26
3:00 – 7:00 pm • Country Grill Chicken Truck Evil Horse Brewing Co., 1338 Main St., Crete, IL 708-304-2907 Map Country Grill is a food truck offering rotisserie chicken and ribs fresh from the spit, homemade salads and pretzels.
Tuesday, April 27
2:00 pm • Side Lot Bingo! Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map We’re playing Bingo again! Get ready to shake your balls every Tuesday night at Side Lot Brewery. Limited seating is available both inside and outside. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. MASKS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE PROPERTY & ANYTIME YOU’RE NOT SEATED. If this is a problem, stay home.
6:30 pm • Whole Hog Dinner Milk Money Brewing, 75 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL708-582-6030 Map Our monthly beer dinner series for April we will be partnering with our friends from Craft Urban in Geneva. The dinner will be focused on whole hog cooking. It will feature 7 courses along with beer and specialty cocktail pairings. $85 per ticket through Tock. Passed apps: Cured and smoked aged pork tenderloin —w/olive oil and chèvre Steam bun twice cooked pork—-w/ pickled cabbage, garlic chives 1st course: Coppa di testa terrine—w/ ginger mango, garlic toast, onion relish, sunny side egg 2nd course: Braised pork shanks—-w/mushrooms and stewed ramps 3rd course: Dry aged pork tonnato —-smoked sausage, roasted spring radish, raw radish, charred romesco, baby kale 4th course: Pork loin—w/fennel soubise, grilled asparagus Dessert: Churro spiced pork rinds —-w/ hand ground dark chocolate and chilies
Wednesday, April 28
11:00 am – 8:00 pm • BCS Wednesdays at Goose Island Clybourn Goose Island Brewhouse, 1800 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL (312) 915-0071 Map Join us for another round of special BCS tapings Wednesdays this spring. In honor of the transitions of seasons, we’ll be throwing on some older or rarer BCS and also some new fresh BCS from the 2020 lineup. Plus you get to take home a mini snifter glass while supplies last. Tap lineup TBA Join us for indoor or outdoor dining, make your reservation now. Limited availability. First come, first served. On-site consumption only.
7:00 – 10:00 pm • Stranger Things Trivia! Off Square Brewing, 11000 Delaware Pkwy., Crown Point, IN (219) 310-8898 Map “Stranger Things” themed trivia!
Thursday, April 29
Chicken Thursday at Pollyanna Brewing in St. Charles Pollyanna – St. Charles, 106 S. Riverside Ave., St. Charles, IL (630) 549-7372 Map The Country Grill Chicagoland Chicken Truck brings finest rotisserie specialties to the Pollyanna Brewing in St. Charles! Swing by for dinner and some fine beers! Serving 3-7 pm and 10 pm to 2 am.
4:00 – 7:00 pm • Windmill Kölsch Night Windmill Brewing Co., 121 Gettler St., Dyer, IN (219) 440-2189 Map Join us for a night celebrating all things Kölsch including a traditional Kölsch service and food from Sizzlebox. $10 tickets get you in the door and apply to your bill at the end of the night. Tickets $10 at Brown Paper Tickets.
5:00 – 8:00 pm • Ayala’s Empanadas Food Truck at BHBC! Black Horizon Brewing Co., 7560 S. Quincy St., Willowbrook, IL (630) 413-4964 Map Absolutely delicious, Grandma’s Recipe, outstanding Empanadas from Chef Alex with us Thursday, April 29th from 5-8pm!! Why cook dinner when you can stop by us and enjoy his varieties, our tasty beers and live music from Brent Brown 5-8pm as well!
6:00 – 8:00 pm • Beers With Queers Dry City Brew Works, 120B N. Main St., Wheaton, IL (630) 456-4787 Map Welcome to Beers With Queers. We heard you and we know there needs to be more safe places for LGBTQ+ folxs to feel welcome and accepted. We have partnered with Dry City Brew Works to bring you an open and welcome space every Other Thursday. Every other Thursday join Us here at OUTspoken Leaders, Dry City, and other LGBTQ+ folx as we hang out and connect with the community together. Please note this is a 21+ event every other Thursday however if you are and LGBTQ+ youth or young adult looking for support in your life please know we offer a weekly support and discussion group called OUTspoken Online and we also offer a sober space specifically for the LGBTQ+ on Saturday mornings called Coffee Chat! Please note this event, and coffee chat is being hosted in public so social distancing and face masks will be strictly enforced. We want to offer a safe and welcoming space for all, that means a safe space where people can feel free to be themselves as well as feel safe to not get COVID. OUTspoken Leaders is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving, empowering, and amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. We offer social and service programs that promote self-acceptance, intentional compassion, and unconditional leadership!
7:00 – 8:30 pm • Molly’s Cupcakes & Cocktails Tapville Social – Naperville, 216 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL (630) 536-8739 Map Tapville Social is pairing Molly’s Cupcakes with signature cocktails. Join us for a event to sample four delicious Molly’s Cupcakes and four selected hand-crafted cocktails. Tickets $35 here.
Fresh Beer Events, occasional bacon, but always spam free, opt out any time.
Meet The Blogger
Mark McDermott
Writer, trivia maven, fan of many things. I thought to learn all there is to know about beer as a way to stay interested in learning. It is my pleasure to bring Chicago’s craft beer scene to you.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22448993/IMG_1562.jpg)
Chicago’s Favorite Food Critics and Bloggers
Leave a comment