To celebrate Latino Heritage Month, Bears fan services employee Samara Martinez shares her perspective on being Latina and how her grandparents' pursuit of the American Dream shaped her life in Chicago.

"Echale ganas siempre"

Always work hard. That message of constant encouragement has been passed down through my entire family, starting with my grandparents. Not only was I taught to embrace it in my daily life, but I learned it was the guiding principle for my grandparents — my kita Lucrecia and tata Armando — during their pursuit of the American Dream.

Born in Durango, Mexico, my grandparents left their home in 1974, searching for more opportunities not only for themselves but also for their young children. They settled into the historic city of Chicago — an area far from home, but where opportunity was plentiful.

While moving to the United States brought exposure to a new culture for my grandparents, being immersed in the new country that spoke a completely different language created challenges.

My grandparents always told me: "El idioma fue lo más difícil para nosotros. ¿Me preguntaron 'What's your name?' y no entendí."

Like most Latinos from their generation who came to the U.S., my grandparents struggled with the language barrier early on. Simple questions became difficult. Issues with being in a new world, combined with a limited understanding of English, presented greater challenges such as being unable to purchase a vehicle.

Instead of driving, they walked or took the bus through the harsh Chicago winters and brutally humid summers. Their resilience was remarkable. In time, they learned to navigate the city, find the best routes and make the most of public transportation. They learned how to communicate through actions or hand movements and, eventually, picked up on enough English to effectively converse.

Through the hardships, they formed a close-knit community with other immigrants, sharing tips and supporting each other. As they became more ingrained in the city, my grandparents learned of Chicago's culture — including the importance of the city's sports teams to its residents.

Even in spite of the cultural barriers, my grandparents learned the fervor of Chicago sports — specifically the Bears — and realized it also brought the community together. They have been passionate fans since the 1980s and passed that fandom to my parents, uncles, aunts and eventually my cousins, siblings and me.

For as long as I can remember, it's always been "GO BEARS!"

My Bears fandom is part of several areas of my life, starting with family. Growing up in a Mexican household, our family gatherings were filled with vibrant conversations, phenomenal food and a love for sports. Sundays were usually spent at church, but during football season, it also meant spending all day watching games.

As a devoted Bears family that was raised in the suburbs, we always felt a sense of community when we would travel to Soldier Field to attend a game.

Those feelings of joy and connectivity the Bears brought our family eventually bled into my hobbies and career aspirations.

Continuing my grandparents' goal of achieving the American Dream, my parents Sandra and Alberto were trailblazers in sports for their own family. They were both amazing athletes who broke the Hispanic tradition by prioritizing sports over working in their younger years. My dad faced criticism from other Hispanic men for his basketball skills, often hearing comments like, "¿Y qué vas a hacer con una pelota en tus manos?" My mom, a young first-generation woman playing sports in school, rarely had her parents attend her games.

They never wanted my siblings and me to experience those same challenges. They constantly encouraged us to pursue the sports we loved and supported us in becoming great athletes. As a young female athlete, who loved basketball and soccer, I noticed the lack of Latino and Latina players in professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, MLS and NWSL. I envisioned a future where Latinos were involved in sports beyond soccer. Today, I am proud to see more Latino representation, especially in the NFL.

While my goals of playing in and after college were cut short due to injuries, I didn't want my passion for sports to waver. The summer heading into my senior year, I pondered what my next steps would be once I graduated from Lewis University. I leaned on my love for the Bears and aimed to understand what careers sports organizations had to offer outside of being on the field, and I decided to apply for a job with the team I grew up rooting for.

Just before starting my final year of school, I was directed to a role in fan services — a position I currently hold which emphasized my love for sports and the Bears.

Being a Latina who works in the NFL brings me immense joy and a profound sense of pride. My job quickly taught me the significance of being a Latina in the sports industry as well. There aren't many of us, so I take pride in bringing my culture to the table when needed.

During a game last year, I was called to a different department to translate for two women who were having difficulties with their tickets. The language barrier reminded me of my roots — of my grandparents. I stepped in to help resolve the issue, speaking Spanish with the women, which allowed them to have a great experience at the game.

At training camp, the Bears host a back-to-school fair for minorities, including the Latino. This year, I assisted families get a better understanding of the event, answering their questions about training camp, the Bears and the NFL. I took pride in helping other families create a deep connection with the team.

Being a young Mexican adult has taught me to proudly embrace my heritage and confidently break down barriers to achieve my dreams, just like my grandparents did 50 years ago.

I join all other Hispanics in celebrating Latino Heritage Month and honoring our vibrant community that spans many countries, each with its own unique customs and flavors. I'm proud to be a Hispanic Bears fan in Chicago — one that carries on a family tradition and promotes our culture throughout the entire Bears community.

"Si somos los monstros de Midway"

English word key:

"Echale ganas siempre" = Always work hard

"El idioma fue lo más difícil para nosotros. ¿Me preguntaron 'What's your name?' y no entendí." = The language was the hardest for us. They would ask me "what's your name and I never understood"

"¿Y qué vas a hacer con una pelota en tus manos?" = And what are you going to do with a ball in your hands?

"Si somos los monstros de Midway" = We are the monsters of the midway