Column: Is 2025 the year of the overprotective dad in sports?

Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze catches a pass during warmups before a game against the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Cincinnati. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

By Paul Sullivan | psullivan@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune

PUBLISHED: November 9, 2025 at 6:00 AM CST

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Overprotective dads with famous athletic sons have dominated the headlines in 2025, plus other observations from a trip down the sports world's rabbit hole.

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Column: Is 2025 the year of the overprotective dad in pro sports? On behalf of the kids, please butt out.

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