ABOUT SIDELINES

Chet and Tom Ballard are living every fan’s dream, getting paid to attend the Chicago Bears weekend games. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t by design. It was the brainchild of their Uncle Fran who set a young 14-year-old Chet up with a job with Andy Frain, the iconic Chicago-based valet/security/concierge company, who was subcontracted to the Bears organization to keep the stadium moving consistently and efficiently. Within a few years, Chet brought along his brother Tom for the adventure of a lifetime as they carved niche positions for themselves, making the Ballard brothers an institution within the institution. There were no others like them…and no one could replace them.

What ensued was a 4-decade odyssey whereby the Ballard brothers, working from the sidelines, gained access and acceptance from which they gathered anecdotes with a unique perspective. Oh, they had their fun while they made their marks, learning quickly the difference between crossing the line and drawing the line.
SIDELINES is not just about what they saw, whom they met, and what they did, it is a behind-the-scenes collection of observations and insights—using the example of what they experienced to put perspective and understanding of football—from the emotion to the commotion.

If you’re a fan of the team, a fan of the game, a fan of sports, or just a fan of the human condition; SIDELINES is the best seat in the house. You’ll never watch a game the same way again.