CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears' much-publicized kicker search got a boost from an unlikely source on Thursday night.
Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, who played linebacker for the Bears from 1984 to 1992, admitted after Carolina's 23-13 preseason victory at Soldier Field that he intentionally called a timeout before Chicago's Elliott Fry attempted a 43-yard field goal to help his former team better evaluate the rookie kicker.
"You know what is funny, I did that to help the Bears because they are in a kicking contest," Rivera said.
Bears coach Matt Nagy denied that he and Rivera were in cahoots, but nonetheless expressed gratitude.