'Game On!' Bears watch party Sunday aids Payton scholarship fund

Bears fans can both cheer on their favorite NFL team in Sunday’s match-up with the Vikings — AND help raise funds for the scholarship fund established in memory of the late, great Walter Payton.

The weekly “Game On!” event at American Junkie, 15 W. Illinois, will kick-off 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday as Payton’s former teammate and fellow Super Bowl XX champ, Steve “Mongo” McMichael, hosts the inaugural event in the popular new River North sports-themed eatery.

Mc Michael will mingle with fans, sign autographs, pose for photos and award raffle prizes — including a Robbie Gould-autographed football. Each week this season, a former Chicago Bear will host the event.

An added bonus: Fans will compete in Bears trivia to win the chance to sit next to McMichael during a quarter of the game — sitting in comfy Walter E. Smithe Furniture recliners — affectionately known as “Da Recliners,” and appropriately sporting blue and orange colors.

Tickets are available at the door for $15 ($25 for two), and include a Zing Zang and Tito’s vodka bloody mary, plus a 20 percent discount on food.

The Walter Payton Memorial Scholarship, established by Walter’s brother, Eddie Payton, awards college scholarships to economically-disadvantaged students that emuate Payton’s characteristics of excellence, dedication, inspiration and community service. Scholarships are given in Payton’s home state of Mississippi and at Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago. The four-year scholarships are valued at $26,000.