Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1169907
n o r t h w e s t e r n f o o t b a l l • D I G I T A L P R O G R A M • N O R T H W E S T E R N v s . M I C H I G A N S T A T E 43 "My dad is originally from Chicago, and I knew I wanted to be in Chicago when I was older," said Joe. "The opportunity to walk on presented itself, and it was a no-brainer." When the time came for Chris to make his decision, he received offers from several MAC schools, multiple service academies and most Ivy League programs. However, the 4/40 Rule stuck in the back of his mind alongside a desire to play at the top level of college football, so Chris took a visit to Evanston to stay with his brother the weekend before signing day. After attending an early morning lift and spending time alongside Joe in the locker room, his future crystalized. "It was solely the guys on the team," said Chris. "It felt like a family because every guy there is so close. It was just a feeling of home I got so quickly." Just as Joe did two years prior, Chris joined the program as a preferred walk-on. This is a potentially disconcerting position for a high school standout; as Joe explained, the coaches in the program did not recruit you directly, and you must find a niche and work tirelessly to get on the field. But as undersized guys with relentless competitive spirits and a love for football, the Bergins embraced the role and found Northwestern to be the perfect place to make an impact as a walk-on. "That experience has made me who I am today," said Joe. "I had to work for everything–a spot, the respect of my teammates and coaches–and I'm thankful for that." "When you get [to camp], you can't tell who's a walk-on unless you ask," added Chris. "It has to be the best walk-on experience in the country. I'm super proud to be one." Despite the similar paths taken by the two older Bergin brothers, they cut distinct profiles on and off the field. As the oldest of the pack, Joe served as the ringleader growing up and spent much of his childhood inventing games and contests for his brothers and the other neighborhood children. His parents described him as a creative and hard- working individual who always treated his younger brothers with compassion and ensured the younger ones were involved in the day's activities. An economics major now in a Kellogg graduate program, Joe won the Detroit Country Day's equivalent of valedictorian, which is awarded to the student who excels across the fields of art, athletics, academics and altruism. On the field, Joe turned his opportunity as a walk- on into a position as a key contributor on special teams units, playing in all 14 games last season and 12 the prior year.