Simon Becomes an Honorary Member of the Chicago Bears

If you asked Simon his life plan, he was going to attend Notre Dame on a full football scholarship to study child development or psychology, and then get drafted to play in the NFL. He was excited to be able to “wish it forward” so that other wish kids could experience what he felt attending the Super Bowl in 2023.

After a hard-fought and incredibly brave battle with both lymphoma and leukemia Simon passed in October of 2024, just shy of his 14th birthday. His mom, Ellen, has continued Simon’s passion for the Make-A-Wish mission by sharing his story tonight at Wish Ball. For Ellen, it is challenging to think about how she will never see Simon walk across the stage at graduation, or slam on the imaginary break while teaching him to drive. While he may not be taking the field in the way he imagined, Simon’s goal of being part of the NFL has come true. Thanks to Caleb Williams, on behalf of the Chicago Bears, Simon is an honorary member of the Chicago Bears and NFL, with his number, 96.

Everyone in the room felt Simon’s presence tonight as they came together to support the Make-A-Wish mission in his honor. In Simon’s words, “Be Brave. Be Kind” with everything you do.