CHICAGO BEARS JOIN FORCES WITH EVERTON IN THE COMMUNITY TO INSPIRE LOCAL CHILDREN THROUGH AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Liverpool, June 13 2025 – Chicago Bears returned to Liverpool to host their second series of Mini Monsters Clinics – a youth-focused American football initiative – in partnership for the first time with Everton Football Club’s official charity, Everton in the Community.

The clinics, which are designed to provide children aged 7-12 with their first experience of American Football, were hosted over two days at Jeffrey Humble Leisure United with over 600 children from 14 local schools in attendance.

Former Chicago Bears star Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman led four 90-minute clinics alongside Everton in the Community staff and Chicago Bears coaches. The Bears used these sessions to highlight the importance of community sport in promoting youth development and healthy lifestyles.

Mini Monsters Clinics provide free youth coaching for boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 12. The program stresses the importance of healthy eating, physical activity, and proper hydration through fun, non-contact American football drills. All children and young people can participate regardless of experience with American Football or physical capability.

2025 marks the second time the Mini Monsters Clinics have returned to the city following a successful visit in 2023.  Earlier in the year, the Bears strengthened their ties in the North West region by expanding their Manchester Girls Flag Football League – the first ever girls only league of its kind in the North West of England – to accommodate over 250 girls.

The 90-minute clinics were followed by evening coaching sessions available to local PE teachers and sports coaches. The sessions offered practical experience on how to coach American football drills and ensure the initiative's lasting impact.

As part of the trip, Tillman spent time with Peter Reid and Everton in the Community with exclusive tours of both Goodison Park and the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium, meeting fans and staff from the club.

Everton's links with Chicago will see the Toffees play at the Bears' iconic Soldier Field Stadium this summer, when they face West Ham United on 30 July, as part of the Premier League Summer Series.

Tanya Dressen, SVP of Strategy and Global Affairs for the Chicago Bears, said: “As we return to Liverpool, we’re proud to celebrate the meaningful relationships we’ve built across local communities — a commitment we’re now deepening through our new partnership with Everton in the Community. Together we are inspiring young people to play, watch and become members of the Bears family.

“These programs are about more than just football. With each event, we’re offering young people the chance to create lasting memories, form new friendships, and develop valuable skills. Whether through our Mini Monsters clinics, or in our ever-growing flag football leagues, we are committed to growing American football at a grassroots level, and by welcoming as many new UK based fans into the Bears family as possible, we look forward to reflecting our core values of community in all our initiatives.”

John Rawlinson, Kicks Senior Coordinator at Everton in the Community, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Chicago Bears on their Mini Monster Clinics. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that most of our young people wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to take part in. Their first time playing American Football will be truly unforgettable, being led by a former NFL star and Bears’ esteemed coaches.

“We can’t thank the Bears enough for providing our participants with such an invaluable and fun-filled experience. It’s given them the chance to create lifelong memories, form new friendships and develop new skills, which is what our Youth Inclusion provision at Everton in the Community is all about.”

The initiative strengthens Chicago Bears commitment to the UK, where they have marketing rights through the NFL’s Global Markets Program. By the end of this year’s Mini Monsters Clinics, the Bears will have helped introduce the sport to over 10,000 young people across the UK aged 7-21 since launching in 2022.