CHARLESTON, Ill. – Former Eastern Illinois offensive lineman Mike Garrity has signed a workout contract with the Chicago Bears.  Garrity appeared in just seven games in his EIU career due to injury with starts against Central Arkansas in 2010 and Austin Peay in 2011.  Garrity played only two games as a transfer from Illinois in 2010 suffering a season ending knee injury in the second game of the season.  That injury plagued him his senior season as he played in only five contests.

Garrity worked out with Chris Browning, head of Batavia-based Pro Force Sports Performance Training.  Back to full strength in early January, Garrity participated in Northwestern's pro day and performed well enough to be invited to the regional NFL Combine in Detroit in March.  He worked out for the Bears a couple of weeks later and is now under contract to start camp with his hometown team.

“I haven't really been able to take it all in just yet,” said Garrity about his future prospects.  “It seems like just yesterday I was being carted off the field and now to come full circle, it's really overwhelming and hard to believe that this is happening.  I'm very happy about this chance to pursue this dream.”