Rome Odunze Welcomed to Chicago with New Mural from Facebook and Friends

Chicago Bears fans strolling through West Town will be greeted by a new, vibrant addition to the neighborhood—a mural of rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze, painted by artist Mauricio Ramirez. The unveiling event, held Monday night, marked a warm welcome for the newest Bear, who was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the recent NFL Draft.

“I’m super honored, super blessed—honestly,” Odunze said at the mural’s unveiling. “Being a part of the Chicago landscape is super special to me, continuing to make my mark. I think I’ll be able to continue to make my mark on the field. Having the support out here is awesome. Shout out to Mauricio for making this mural and Facebook as a whole.”

The mural, which depicts Odunze in action, has become a local landmark thanks to a collaboration between Facebook and the artist. The event also featured recommendations from Facebook users, providing Odunze with a guide to the best local restaurants and shops.

“I have yet to find all the food spots out here,” Odunze admitted. “I’m looking forward to all those different things and of course playing ball over there at Soldier Field with my teammates, winning games, and doing something big.”

Kate Cichy, a spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Facebook, commented on the initiative. “Young adults come to Facebook every day to help them navigate big life moments like moving to a new city, and even professional athletes can use the guide of a local community. We were so excited to partner with Chicagoans to welcome Rome Odunze. Chicago showed up to provide Rome their recommendations—from their favorite restaurants to the best spots for comedy. It was great to be a small part of this new chapter of Rome’s journey, and we can’t wait to see more of Rome on the field and on Facebook.”

Odunze, a standout wide receiver from the University of Washington, joins the Bears at a time of significant change for the team. He is the first wide receiver the Bears have drafted in the first round since Kevin White in 2015. Over the past two seasons, Odunze compiled 167 receptions for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns, making him a highly anticipated addition to the Bears’ offense.

Here are five things to know about the newest Bears wide receiver:

1. His Unique Name Has Historical Roots Odunze’s distinctive name is inspired by his father’s fascination with the Roman Empire. “When I was born, my dad was really into ancient history,” Odunze explained on the Pivot Podcast. “He was fascinated with the Roman Empire and all they were able to accomplish. Their influence on society has carried on generations.” The name seems fitting given Odunze’s impressive college career and his potential impact in the NFL.
2. He Idolized Devin Hester As a child, Odunze looked up to Bears legend Devin Hester. He often watched Hester’s return plays while listening to Lil Wayne. “Devin Hester was my favorite player growing up,” Odunze said. “I modeled my game after him.” It will be a special moment for Odunze when he makes his debut on the same field where Hester made his mark, especially since Odunze’s first professional game coincides with Hester’s Hall of Fame induction.
3. He’s Already Building Chemistry with Teammates Before the draft, Odunze had several meetings with the Bears and visited Halas Hall for a top-30 visit. He has continued to build relationships with his new teammates. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Odunze has been working out with Bears receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. “Odunze and Williams have developed a friendship during the pre-draft process, and the two have already connected with their new teammates,” Pelissero said. “It’s nice to see that connection has already started.”
4. He’s Excited to Play at Soldier Field Odunze is eager to experience playing in front of the home crowd at Soldier Field. “I’m looking forward to playing ball over there at Soldier Field with my teammates, winning games, and doing something big,” he said. His first game in Chicago will be against the Cincinnati Bengals on the lakefront.
5. His Social Media Influence is Growing The mural and social media buzz have given Odunze a warm reception in Chicago. Facebook’s role in the welcome initiative highlights the impact of digital communities in supporting athletes. “It was great to be a small part of this new chapter of Rome’s journey,” Cichy noted.

As Odunze prepares for his debut season with the Bears, the excitement around his arrival and the support from both the team and the city are evident. The rookie wide receiver is poised to make a significant impact both on and off the field.