Chicago-style Pizzazz
Tim Ball
Tuesday February 14, 2006
In Chicago, the moment you step out of your car it hits you: I gotta get inside. Once inside it is not just the temperature that makes you warm.
FamilyFest at the Rush pre-game celebration was alive with an excitement that is rarely seen on the faces of fans celebrating an 0-2 start. But then again this was a Chicago home game.
These fans are devoted and dedicated to a team that gives the honor right back. As soon as the arena doors were opened the festivities were taken to another level.
Kids laughing and everywhere at once; this is what the Arena League should be. Rush jerseys on a sea of children and parents and a team wanting to win for those fans as much as for themselves.
"This is what keeps me in uniform," said Rush fullback/linebacker Bob McMillen, whose name adorns most of those jerseys worn by kids and adults alike. "It’s easy to say that you have the best fans in the league but look around; it’s an hour before the game and listen to that."
As Rush faithful started piling into the arena from the fun across the street; McMillan heard one cheer after another from excited voices.
"No way are we losing today," said a teenager sprinting towards the sidelines ahead of his friends. "Hey, Bob, let’s make them suffer today huh?" said a father with obviously more than just his own kids to watch over.
"I’ve been in this league a long time," said McMillen, "I’m going to end my career a happy man because of these fans."
As McMillen started his pre-game warm-up those kids and parents showered down the pride this AFL superstar so richly deserves.
Three-hours later those kids were proven right by a team that would not quit as the Kats literally took a win away on the last play of regulation. What showed was a side of fans rarely seen these day’s. "Man that was a good play," was heard from several Rush fans along the front row as they settled in for overtime.
Here’s how it reads in the Chicago press release and shows the kind of class that makes this league shine. On commenting on an opponent:
". . . After the Rush was unable to run out the clock in the final minute of the game, Nashville got the ball back trailing 48-41 with 14 seconds remaining. After an incomplete pass stopped the clock with 8 seconds left, the game came down to one final play – and it was a beauty.
Stoerner hit veteran Cory Fleming with a 12-yard crossing pass. As Fleming made his way towards the Nashville bench area, he flipped the ball to former Rush star Cornelius Bonner running toward the opposite sidelines. Bonner caught the ball cleanly, evaded one tackler and cruised into the endzone to force a tie and overtime.
The 47-yard hook-and-trailer was extremely well-executed and stunned the crowd at Allstate Arena, but it did not shock the Rush who found a way to take care of business in the extra session."
The Rush faithful stunned by what had just happened crowded the railings for what would be a classic AFL finish that proved those fans made the right pre-game prediction to McMillen.
After matching touchdowns in overtime and down by one, head coach Mike Hohensee gave the green light for the two-point conversion that would bring the Rush its first win of the year or Chicago’s third loss in as many games.
Tension gave way to celebration as Rush quarterback Matt D’Orazio found wide receiver Cornelius White streaking across the back of the endzone for the catch and the win.
Uphill battle
"We should be 2-0," said D’Orazio prior to the game. "You look at the Kats, they have a great pass rush and talented experienced players, and you’ll see that this is the game where we’ll show what we’re made of."
D’Orazio certainly lived up to the prophecy as Nashville would drop him on his back so many times throughout the game you wondered how he kept getting up.
On the last play of the game, a two-point conversion in overtime, it was D’Orazio standing tall that had the crowd on its feet.
On that play, more was decided than just a win.
Hohensee gave his players the praise and trust that his team had earned.
"What more needs to be said," commented wide receiver Etu Molden. "You want that trust from the coach and the confidence he has in us is a big part of what makes this team so special."
"You select the right players and give them the chance to win," said Hohensee. "It’s all about heart and talent and this game showed what these players are made of."
"That’s a talented team we just beat tonight," continued Hohensee. "Our guys could have let down after we gave away a big lead. I couldn’t be more proud of how they finished."
Games like this are what make Arena Football so exciting. One of the AFL’s greatest players knew what this kind of game is all about. "You have to give a lot of credit to both teams tonight," said wide receiver Darryl Hammond.
"No one wants to lose at anytime," continued Hammond "but to comeback like we did showed our talent level and the ability. It’s their house and I’ll let them enjoy this one. We’ll see them again."
Spectator sport
This is the mid-west and fans know their teams. Just about everyone stayed for the overtime session.
Matt Voss and eight-year old son Nick have had Rush season tickets since the inaugural season.
"The team is playing with intensity and could easily have won the last two games," said Voss. "Tonight they showed the kind of hitting we are known for."
"We are McMillen fans but it’s good to see the team bring in future talent. Our new player Jeremy Unertl had a big night on defense and that is what we’re known for, those big hits."
Nick likes the game for the right reason too; "There’s a lot of action." He says with a voice ringing with authority.
Nick was so right. The action before the game was fun, but the action on the field went to the last play of the game for the third week in a row.
Chicago is in the win column and all is back on track for their dedicated fans and tenacious players. Though winning sometimes is just another aspect of the game.
Angelo Damiano’s nine-year old daughter Sunie wearing a McMillen jersey looks forward to the breaks in the action as much as the game. "I like Arena Football because there is a lot going on," says Sunie. "I liked it when they had the dogs at halftime once."
The Familyfest, the team, the game itself; all part of a package keeping the next six home games circled on the calendar awaiting the circling of a playoff date.
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
