Minnesota Polar Bears

The **Minnesota Polar Bears** are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Polar Bears currently play in the Casual World Sim Football League in the American Conference.

## Franchise History

### Founding

The Minnesota Polar Bears were founded July 7th, 2022, by Apollo Pickington (wilo\_). According to him, he chose that name because it was intimidating and fitting for the location, and he is fond of Minnesota as he used to live there.

### 2022: Building Up

In the first ever S1 CWSFL Draft, the Polar Bears would trade their first round pick to the Munich Monarchs for a 2022 4th Round Pick and a 2023 1st Round Pick, which would drastically affect the Polar Bears' future. Major franchise players they would select in this draft include quarterback Drew Davis in the second round, defensive lineman John Wall in the third round, running back Anumo Esoto in the fourth round, and safety Tre Martin in the fifth round.

The Polar Bears would go 4-3 in their first year, placing second in their division behind the Vancouver Lancers. Their first franchise win was in Week 1 against their eventual rival the Lancers, 27-14. However, in the playoffs, they would lose to the Lancers, who went on to lose to the Egyptian Pharaohs in Gold Bowl I.

Apollo Pickington would win 2022 Defensive Back of the Year, and John Wall would win 2022 Defensive Lineman of the Year.

### 2023: Stormy Waters

In the 2023 CWSFL Draft, the Polar Bears had the third pick, which they used on safety Mo Ses, who would eventually become the team's Assistant Manager. Other major players they selected in this draft include tight end Chris Walker IV, LB Nathan Claflin, and WR Extra Magic.

The Polar Bears went 3-4, which was only good enough for last place in the suddenly ultra-competitive American Conference. The Polar Bears would controversially trade their star DL John Wall to the Pharaohs halfway through the season for a 2024 First Round Pick.

RB Micah Pope would win 2023 Waiver of the Year.

### 2024: The Mountaintop

In the 2024 CWSFL Draft, the Polar Bears again had the third pick, which they used on linebacker Oliver Price. They used their other first round pick on LB Tremont King. Both these players would be instrumental during the 2024 season. Other notable players they selected include WR Jackson Sultan and DL Reggie Watt.

In their third season, the Polar Bears went 9-1, finishing first in the American Conference for the first time in their history. Some notable games include a 43-0 win in Week 4 against the Salt Lake City Comets, which is the largest blowout in CWSFL history, a 14-3 win against the Lancers for the division title, as well as two other shutouts against the Monarchs and Warsaw Warriors.

In the playoffs, the Polar Bears would beat the Lancers 32-5 in the American Conference Championship, and in Gold Bowl III, they would beat the Pharaohs 29-3 to become CWSFL Champions, and Apollo Pickington would become Gold Bowl MVP, as he had 2 game-sealing interceptions.

#### Legacy

The 2024 Polar Bears defense is regarded as one of the greatest of all time, as they caused 3 shutouts during the regular season, and allowed a combined 8 points during the postseason.

### 2025:

During Free Agency, the Polar Bears reunited with John Wall as he came back to Minnesota, signing for 32 points for 3 seasons. However, the Polar Bears would lose Nathan Claflin as he would sign with their rival, the Comets. The Polar Bears would also trade for Sam Eagle, giving the Monarchs a 2026 2nd Round Pick.

During the regular season, the Polar Bears went 9-1, clinching the American Conference as well as the #1 seed for the second year in a row. Notable performances include Apollo Pickington’s 4 INTs and 6 DFLs as well as Anumo Esoto’s 1391 yard season, good for second in the league.

In the playoffs, the Polar Bears were upset by the Frankfurt Lions 16-13. There were multiple factors to this loss but among the major ones were Davis and Esoto having two of the worst games of their careers.