Jimmy Clausen: The World Was Very Different the Last Time He Started an NFL Game

Jimmy Clausen will start at quarterback for the Chicago Bears this weekend against the Detroit Lions. The last time that Clausen started at quarterback for an NFL team was for the Carolina Panthers on Jan. 2, 2011 during Week 17 of the 2010 season. The then-rookie was starting his 10th game of the season. On Sunday, he’ll start his first game in nearly four years.

But will the Bears be happy with how much the world has changed since the last time Jimmy Clausen started an NFL game? Let’s investigate!

Here’s what Jimmy Clausen looked like back in 2011 during his last start:

Look at that hair. That baby-faced assassin. Clausen represented hope. Anything was possible back in January 2011. And here’s what he looks like today.

Wow. What a transformation. That man right there is a grizzled veteran. He’s been there. He’s seen shit. Notice how he looks a different direction while having his picture taken? That’s a veteran NFL move. But what else has changed? Does anyone even remember what was happening in 2011? You might be surprised to learn that…

The last time Jimmy Clausen started a football game, Little Fockers was the top film at the box office, bringing in $25 million. Katy Perry’s “Firework” was the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Crazy!

Let’s compare some other things that were happening the last time Clausen started with what will be happening on Sunday…

1/02/11: The Panthers were the only team in the NFC South to finish the season with less than 10 wins.
12/21/14: The Panthers are one of only four teams in the NFC South to finish the season with less than 10 wins.

1/02/11: Cam Newton, the current Carolina Panthers quarterback, was a week away from winning “all of the Tostitos” in the BCS National Championship Game.
12/21/14: The NCAA jury is still out on whether or not that actually happened. Will update.

1/02/11: SONY had no plans to release The Interview.
12/21/14: SONY has no plans to release The Interview.

1/02/11: A sub-.500 team made the playoffs, prompting people to complain that the playoff system needed an overhaul.
12/21/14: A sub-.500 team will probably make the playoffs, prompting people to complain that the playoff system needs an overhaul.

1/02/11: LeBron James was trying to win his first NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
12/21/14: LeBron James is trying to win his first NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

1/02/11: Kate Middleton was not a princess.
12/21/14: Kate Middleton is a princess.

1/01/11: The Denver Nuggets were trying to figure out a way to get something back for Carmelo Anthony.
12/21/14: The New York Knicks are trying to figure out a way to get something back for Carmelo Anthony.

1/02/11: Aaron Rodgers had never won a Super Bowl or wasn’t banging Olivia Munn on Sundays.
12/21/14: Aaron Rodgers has won a Super bowl and isn’t having intimate relations with Olivia Munn on Sundays.

1/02/11: Ned Stark, King Joffery, Robb Stark and The Hound didn’t exist on television.
12/21/14: Spoiler alert.

1/02/11: The Michigan Wolverines football team had just finished a pitiful 7-6 season and were about to hire a Michigan Man as their next coach.
12/21/14: The Michigan Wolverines football team had just finished a pitiful 7-6 season and are about to hire a Michigan Man as their next coach.

1/02/11: The Panthers were thinking about drafting a quarterback.
12/21/14: The Bears will be thinking about drafting a quarterback.

Huh. I guess the world is actually quite recognizable.