CHICAGO – The Windy City became a real sports town again yesterday, with Michael Jordan playing in the United Center and the Bears hosting an NFL playoff game at Soldier Field. The “Whopper Combo” was how one local paper hyped it.
It was an interesting coincidence that Jordan’s long-awaited return to Chicago would land on the same day the Bears staged their first home playoff game in 11 years. One dressed-to-impress crowd arrived to show its gratitude for memories already made. The other crowd, bundled in brown jerseys and ear muffs, came for memories in the making.
Clearly, Jordan had no qualms about sharing the billing with the Bears, advising locals, “I’d rather everyone go to the Bears game. You can see us later.”
He didn’t even play his best basketball, scoring just 16 points and committing a career-high nine turnovers in the Wizards’ 77-69 win in a game completed long before the Bears-Eagles kickoff.
Even Jordan understood the Bears game mattered more, because the Bears have always mattered more even when they were awful. Yet, no one around here is going to forget it was Jordan and the Bulls who gave this city something to brag about for most of the 1990s. That’s why he was welcomed yesterday like the returning hero he is. A three-minute standing ovation and signs of “Thank You, Mike,” and “Welcome Home, Mike,” clearly touched the aging superstar.
Take note, Bears. This could be you.
The adulation of Jordan is the product of what happens when you win championships in a city that cherishes its sports hero. New York. Chicago. You become a legend when you win rings.
The Bears, led by Coach of the Year Dick Jauron, were trying to get to that pedestal yesterday only to be beaten 33-19 by the Eagles and a quarterback who is becoming the Michael Jordan of Philadelphia. Donovan McNabb passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in leading his team to its first NFC Championship Game since 1980.
The Bears had no answers for McNabb, who time after time dodged tacklers to find open receivers. A native of Chicago, he performed as if Soldier Field were his playground much the same way the United Center was once Jordan’s. McNabb won a high-school championship on this field. His homecoming proved to be even more memorable than Jordan’s.
The Bears may one day know what it likes to be adored like Jordan. Even though he returned to Chicago wearing a different jersey and playing for a different team, the reception was to honor a champion.
Chicago’s basketball team hasn’t mattered since Jordan left, just like the Bears haven’t mattered until this year. A victory over the Eagles would have sent them into the NFC Championship Game. But their defense couldn’t contain McNabb.
Now, instead of being the talk of the Chicago, The talk turns to next year for this young team.
“We accomplished a lot,” said Bear safety Tony Parrish. “But that’s hard to look at and accept when your hopes were so high.”
What was supposed to be a memorable sports day in Chicago only served to underscore the city’s frustration for a winner. Jordan beat the Bulls, the Eagles beat the Bears, and McNabb, a Chicago native playing for Philadelphia, was the best player in either game.
The Bears may be good, but they’re a long way from great, and certainly not worthy of sharing the same day with Jordan.
He gave this city a confident swagger when he was dominating the NBA with the Bulls. The Bears want to do the same in the NFL. Going 13-3 and winning the NFC Central was a start. There’s still a long way to go to Be Like Mike.