"The Bears have been very supportive," Rome said. "Any time you've got a major brand like the Chicago Bears wanting to be a part of what you're doing, it's exciting. They've been very helpful for us."
"The support, the conversations and the things they've been able to do for our players to give them resources that they may not necessarily have has been integral," added Chicago State assistant head coach and defensive line coach Kentwan Balmer, an NFL defensive lineman from 2008-11.
"The growth and the expectations of our program knowing that we have the Bears' support, the guys are playing with a lot more confidence. They know that they have the support of the city behind them. It just gives them nothing but confidence going into each and every day."
Rome revealed that the Bears helped the school secure a pair of size-16 cleats for a Chicago State player, adding, "Our kids love knowing they're getting gloves from NFL players."
Chicago State vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics Dr. Monique Carroll has seen that excitement firsthand.
"There's not a day in practice I don't see somebody wearing orange and blue gloves," she said. "Maybe that's a little extra motivation for somebody. We could have a student-athlete from Chicago State drafted or be an undrafted free agent one day right here with the Chicago Bears. So, I think the partnership on the executive level just shows that anything is possible."
The Bears and Chicago State continue to discuss ways they can work together.
"Having a relationship with the Bears is super important to us at the university, and that relationship just continues to grow," Carroll said. "You've got a historic team and what the Bears mean to the city, and knowing that we're trying to do the same thing just on the NCAA Division I \[FCS\] level. It provides validation and it shows that when we have partnerships like that, it's exciting and it shows that both organizations have a lot of positive momentum."
That was clear at the Bears practice that Rome and his assistants attended.
"This is a big-time blessing to be the only Division I football program in Chicago and to be able to be at a Chicago Bears practice is amazing," Rome said. "And to have one of your former college teammates running the show, there's nothing like it."