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THE STAR: Sunday, May 31, 1981S 49(Continued from Page 43)He ran the 40-yard dashes faster than anyone. When he was pitted one-on-one against a defensive back, he remembered that he used to be one himself and how important the advice he used to receive from an old H-F teammate, Scott Teising, was to have in the memory bank.He twisted, turned, weaved and cut like he was giving a clinic on pass receiving. The Fire brass was impressed. The long drive from Glenwood to the north side of Chicago was becoming more easy to take. Tim felt he was getting close to something. The right people were appreciating his every move.BUT EVERY athlete has a bad day. Tim’s came last month.“I had a bad day. At practice I dropped some passes. 1 was starting to worry aboutit. I thought that maybe I wouldn’t make the Fire,” he recalls.“But when 1 look back, that day was the key. 1 relaxed and kept pushing. The next day I got to play first string in practice because a starter wasn’t there. I caught a passand got nailed by a linebacker who put his forearm in my head.“It hurt because we weren’t wearing any helmets. I picked myself up and went backto the huddle. The coaches like my concentration. I could tell they were watching me alot closer.”MEANWHILE, JIM DAGNILLO, a father of one of Tim’s students at Brookwood, was talking to an old friend — Ed McCaskey, vice-president of the Chicago Bears. McCaskey called Ehlebracht and told him to get in touch with Bill Tolbin, a member of the Bears’ staff.My speed,” says Tim. “That’s the only reaso why I got that phone call.”“But when I first talked to Tolbin, he didn’t know who I was. I had to explain that I was Tim Ehlebracht from North Central college. I don’t think he was too impressed,” smiled Tim.Tolbin was very impressed when Ehlebracht arrived in Lake Forest to run for him. A 4.6 time in the 40-yard dash is very good. Even after driving nearly two hours aftertaking a half-day off of school.“Everything was happening so fast,” says Tim.THE DOMINOES WERE falling. The next thing Tim knew was that he was at theBears’ rookie camp in Lake Forest, standing next to mammoths like 6-foot-8, firstround draft choice Doug Van Horne.“The first guy I went up to talk to was Bob Shupryt,” said Ehlebracht of the formerHillcrest star. “He was the only person I knew. Two south suburban players in Lake Forest. That was hard to believe.”So was catching a pass thrown by Bears’ quarterback Vince Evans. “That guy throws bullets,” Tim says. “If you’re not concentrating, the ball's right past you. It'svery easy to get totally overwhelmed by the whole situation.“Everything’s in blue and orange. Televisions in the locker rooms. A racquetballcourt. The facilities are unreal. When we got suited up the first day and walked up theramp to the field, there were photographers and reporters all over the place.“I THOUGHT I was dreaming.”Just two days before Tim Ehlebracht was wondering if it was time to stop chasing the football over the rainbow. The ultimate pot of gold. Now he was catching passes from Evans and trying to avoid getting whacked silly by Van Home.“There was this drill with air bags and I was holding one with Van Horne staring at me,” Tim frightfully recalls. “When he came at me I thought a truck had mistakenly rolled on the field. One coach yelled over and asked if I could give some resistance. 1 was just trying to find out the guy’s license number.EHLEBRACHT FOLLOWED orders and tried his Dest. Trying nas aiways ut*en uuc of his highest qualities. He glanced around the field and saw that there were more people watching a Bears’ rookie camp than had flocked to see North Central games. By the second practice on Saturday, he started to relax. To blend in with the other athletes who were also trying to impress someone, anyone. Ehlebracht was just trying to be himself and give the best chance of his life a more than legitimate shot He listened attentively at the numerous meetings, picking up the plays without much despair. His mind has always worked quickly with problems that have conquered others. And he remembered how defensive backs thought. After all, he was one once.His biggest moment came on the second day when he was told to go out for a long pass. He had to do it quickly because the fastest dude in camp, Hueben Henderson, was waiting on defense. Tim turned on the burners and left Henderson’s tracks lookingfor company.“Man, what do you run the 40?” asked Rueben.“ABOUT 4.6,” replied Ehleoracni.“No way,” countered Rueben. “I do a 4.5 and you blew right past me.”“That compliment did wonders for me.'' Tim admitted. “Right then, I knew I be-Jonged.”The Bears knew it. too. Tolbin called Tim to his office and offered him a contract. “THE TOUGHEST PART came driving home,” said Ehlebracht. “That two-hour drive felt like five. I wanted to fly home to tell everybody the good news. I've never feltso excited. IFirst, he broke the good word to Dagnillo in Glenwood. Then he high-tailed it to hisparents’ home on Olive road, across the street from James Hart school, in Homewood.“I went in the house real calm, like I didn't make it.” he says. “But it didn't takelong for the shouting to start.“I know I haven’t made the team yet. There’s still a long way to go. But look whereI was a couple of months ago.”LOOKING BACK, it’s easy to see the flow of dominoes. The Bears decided to hireTed Marciabroda, the former Baltimore Colts’ coach, to act as offensive co-ordinator. He likes to throw the football. Then there’s the departure of star receiver James Scottto Montreal in the Canadian Football league.“All of this tells me that I’m receiving the chance of a lifetime,” Tim points out.So from now until training camp starts on July 16, Ehlebracht is working hard. Playing softball four nights a week. Playing racquetball. And most importantly, workingwith weights at The Gym in Chicago Heights to improve his upper body He doesn’t have a job, but he won't have to worry about paying the rent because Tom is supporting him. As they have done throughout their lives, they're pulling together.“TOM'S A FORCE in my life,” says Tim “He's the type of person who can boost your spirits.“My whole family is a beautiful dream. My mom and dad are strong people. They’vestuck together, worked tough problems out. I really admire them.”Tim Ehlebracht has plenty of people rooting for him. Plenty of people to find Bearstickets for if he makes the team.Even if Tim doesn't make the Bears, it won't be for a lack of trying.Talk to him for a while. You’ll understand.He comes from a very good background.
Newspaper Details
Park Forest South Star
Park Forest, Illinois, US
Sun, May 31, 1981
Page 48
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