Plenty of people were shocked when the Chicago Bears drafted Ruben Hyppolite in the 4th round. Most casual fans had never heard of him. Draft experts knew little about him. People inside the NFL knew of his exploits, but most saw him as more of a 6th round type of player. Taking him in the 4th round was somewhat of a gamble, at least on paper. The Bears didn’t care. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wanted more speed. There aren’t many linebackers who can run a 4.39.
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However, there may have been signs that Hyppolite would end up in Chicago. Adam Hoge of CHGO noticed the rookie was wearing a hat with a picture of a grizzly bear on it and the words “Defense” at the top. The beat writer asked him where he got it. It was then that Hyppolite made a startling revelation.
He’d actually purchased the hat three weeks before the Bears picked him.
It must’ve been a sign from the football gods that the linebacker was meant to play in Chicago. There is no way the Bears had plans to take him three weeks in advance. This is pure serendipity.
Ruben Hyppolite could transform into an incredible story.
Going into January, most people saw him as a likely undrafted free agent. He’d had a productive but unremarkable career at Maryland. Most saw him as a good athlete with average instincts for his position. Then he ran that blistering 40-yard dash, interviewed well, and won over the team representing the hat he bought on a whim. If he were to somehow transform into a good player for the Bears, Ruben Hyppolite would have one of the best origin stories in franchise history. Ben Johnson already mentioned his name as a top standout from OTAs. That is a great start. Much more must be done before he starts getting real opportunities. If nothing else, this makes him easier to root for come training camp.
