HUMBOLDT PARK — When Chicago musician Scott Morrow was hit in the back by a stray bullet last month, one of the things he said to himself while trying to say alive in the ambulance was: “I can’t die before I see Justin Fields on the field for the Bears.”
Morrow lost his spleen, his left kidney and part of his pancreas — but he survived.
And Justin Fields paid him a surprise visit this week to cheer him up.
The Bears No. 1 draft pick, the rookie quarterback out of Ohio State who Bears fans are praying will finally be the franchise player they need to get back to past glory, came to check on Morrow after getting wind of his ambulance hopes.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Morrow said of Fields’ visit.
Morrow, 41, was shot and badly injured during Puerto Rican Parade festivities last month. After Block Club highlighted Morrow’s story and his dream to see Fields, the Bears reached out and arranged for Fields to visit Monday.
Morrow said they chatted about Fields’ youth camp in Chicago, and how he’s adjusting to life in the city. The rookie also gave Morrow a signed jersey. The two met at Morrow’s parents’ house in west suburban Glen Ellyn.
Morrow describes himself as an “afflicted, lifelong Bears fan — even when it’s brutal.” It’s the one Chicago sports team he follows closely.
Morrow was shot just before 1 a.m. June 20 as he was walking to a friend’s house.
After a minor traffic crash near the 1200 block of North Kedzie Avenue, someone fired shots at a 28-year-old woman driving one of the cars, hitting her in her head, police said. One of the shots also hit Morrow while he was walking on the sidewalk. The woman was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, while Morrow was taken to Mount Sinai.
Morrow spent six days in the hospital. In addition to removing damaged organs, doctors repaired holes in his stomach and diaphragm. Since then, he’s had to return to the hospital several times due to complications.
Meanwhile, thousands of dollars have poured in to support Morrow’s recovery. As of Thursday, a GoFundMe fundraiser for Morrow had raised $34,561.
After the Fields visit, Morrow’s story has been picked up by several local and national outlets including USA Today and NBC Sports.
“The Justin Fields thing was crazy — it’s been a really nice and fun distraction to help keep my mind off things for a few days,” he said. “Overall, it’s been a really overwhelming and uplifting and emotionally positive experience. It makes me feel very loved and support.”
But Morrow said many gun violence victims in the city and across the country don’t receive the same love and support — and that has to change.
“I’m one of dozens and dozens of people going through the same thing every week here,” he said. “It’s certainly great to have the attention and help but there’s so much more we need to do for victims in this country.”
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