Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze credited his girlfriend, Alannah Davidson, for being a rock of support during an up-and-down year in the Windy City.
“You can see football as a fantasy when you look at it. My girl, my parents, all my friends, all my brothers — I have very true, respected relationships with all those people, ” Odunze exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting his partnership with Invisalign. “When it comes to words of encouragement or advice and all of those different things, that’s definitely a backbone for myself. I think it’s important for any person, especially any athlete, to have that sort of system.”
Odunze, 23, and Davidson, 24, have been dating since March 2021, when they were both students at the University of Washington. The Bears, under first year head coach Ben Johnson, are 4-3 and trying to make the postseason for the first time since 2020.
“They’re the real MVPs at the end of the day,” Odunze continued of his support system. “Those are my folks.”
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The Bears sophomore star has been forced to come of age in an era — and in a city — where fans have the ability and proclivity to let athletes know exactly how they feel.
“I think it definitely presents an interesting challenge with social media and everybody having a direct access to things,” Odunze said. “They can get at you and DM you and say basically whatever they want online, which is crazy. People say crazy things in person sometimes, too. Those are all unique aspects of it.”
To his credit, Odunze said he “doesn’t really pay attention to a lot of those things.”
“I really don’t pay attention to anybody’s advice on that side of things,” he explained. “All of my voices of reason and things like that come from inside the building and people that I trust close to my circle. When it comes to all that outside talk, I think that’s the best way to approach it.”
One of those trusted confidants is Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the same year Chicago selected Odunze at No. 9 overall.
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“My relationship with him is good, man,” Odunze said. “That’s one of my dogs, one of my brothers. Obviously coming into this thing together is a unique experience. We’ve gone through the ebbs and flows of an NFL season and understand the different rollercoaster of emotions that you go through. We’re continuing to grow, but it’s been great.”
In addition to the blossoming chemistry with his quarterback, Odunze credited his partnership with Invisalign for helping him get him straight.
“The biggest thing is just the confidence it’s brought me, on and off the field, just having a good smile” the wide receiver said. “But it’s not just about the smile, either. Paying attention to oral health is a big positive. I’m one of those that’s a success story.”
Odunze and the Bears travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals on Sunday, November 2.
