WASHINGTON (June 11, 2025) - Ian Wheeler's positivity has been a quiet superpower — one that helped the Howard University graduate and Chicago Bears running back choose hope over fear, growth over doubt and resilience over defeat. 

When a torn ACL ended his season before it even began, Wheeler could have crumbled under the weight of disappointment. He had made the Bears' final roster. His childhood dream was real. 

And in an instant, it was all on hold. Yet, instead of despair, Wheeler chose to see a bigger picture — a mindset that continues to fuel his comeback. 

"It was bittersweet," Wheeler said, reflecting on his rookie season spent on injured reserve. "You work hard and sometimes stuff does not go your way. But being placed on IR turned out to be a blessing. It gave me a chance to slow down, learn the game better, focus on my rehab and become the best version of myself for this coming season." 

Those long months were not easy. There were lonely nights icing his knee, quiet frustrations as progress came slower than he wanted and moments when self-doubt whispered loud. But Wheeler kept showing up. Kept choosing belief. In a world quick to criticize and slow to encourage, his positivity became his armor — lifting not just himself, but his community, too. 

While rehabbing in Chicago, Wheeler continued to pour into others. He remained active with Grassroots Health, an organization he first joined as a Howard student-athlete, mentoring young people in Washington, D.C. about health, choices and hope. In recognition of his work, the Bears made a significant donation to Grassroots Health on his behalf. 

"This had a big impact on me because I never had the opportunity to receive something like that when I was a kid," Wheeler said. "When I got my opportunity in the NFL, I set some money aside to donate. And seeing the Bears match that — knowing the kids would benefit even more — meant everything." 

Wheeler's story is built on more than athleticism. He started playing football at seven years old, balancing academics and athletics all the way through college. He even deferred medical school to chase the NFL dream — a gamble that many would not dare take. 

With the HBCU community firmly behind him, Wheeler stayed grounded during his recovery, drawing strength from the love that cheered him on during the hardest days. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bears in May 2024, he is under contract through 2026. 

Before the injury, Wheeler made a lasting impression: 12 carries, 52 yards and two touchdowns across three preseason games — including a breakout performance against Buffalo that turned heads. His underdog journey became a fan favorite on Hard Knocks, resonating with viewers across the country. 

At Howard, Wheeler rushed for 1,139 yards and 13 touchdowns over his final three seasons, averaged 6.54 yards per carry, caught 23 passes for 234 yards and returned a program-best three kickoffs for touchdowns — showing his knack for impact when it mattered most. 

"I understand how hard this path is," Wheeler said. "Millions of kids play high school football. Tens of thousands play in college. Only a few ever make it to the NFL. Just stepping into an NFL building is a blessing. Coming from a smaller school and making an impact reminds people that good football is good football. Nothing is guaranteed — and that is what makes every moment special." 

Now nearing a year since post-surgery, Wheeler is seeing the fruits of patience and perseverance. Recovery is trending up. A new Bears coaching staff, led by Ben Johnson, has reignited hope across the franchise — and Wheeler wants to be part of it. 

"Recovery is going great," Wheeler said. "Every week I'm getting better. No setbacks, just steady progress. I will be cleared in the coming weeks. And I am excited — it feels like we have the right guys in place to do something special." 

Between Chicago and his hometown of Houston, Wheeler also found time to return to Howard's Pro Day — stepping once again onto the field where his dreams first took flight. It was a full-circle moment, a reminder that growth is not always visible in yards gained or touchdowns scored. Sometimes, it is found in the quiet decision to keep moving forward. 

"I am just extremely grateful," Wheeler said. "A lot of people work hard and never get the chance to step inside of an NFL facility. The fact that I am here, still putting my best foot forward and still playing at the highest level — that is a blessing I will never take for granted." 

In the end, Wheeler's greatest strength is not just his speed or power — it is his ability to believe in what is possible and stay positive, even when the road turns arduous. And that, more than anything, is what will carry him forward when the Bears open training camp in July. 

Rob Knox is an award-winning professional, a member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Athletics Hall of Fame, and adjunct instructor at Temple University. In addition to having work published in SLAM magazine, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Washington Post, and Diverse Issues In Higher Education, Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by CSC with the Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award and the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Named a HBCU Legend by SI.com, Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Communicators, formerly CoSIDA. 

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