Bob McMillen honored
Tim Ball
Tuesday March 28, 2006
It’s tough to be an Arena football fan. I’m not kidding. Not only are most games not decided until the last minute – skip that, last seconds – but the drama in the stands, under the stands, above the stands and around the stands matches the tension on the field.
On Bob McMillen day, last Sunday - celebrating the AFL’s all-time rushing leader -
the fans and the organization were honoring one of America’s great athletes. Problem was that the Grand Rapids Rampage was ruining an otherwise perfect day in Chicago.
While everyone awaited the half-time celebration for a hometown hero, a 24-3 Rampage lead with two-minutes left in the second quarter was casting a shadow on the fun. Then again minutes mean nothing in Arena Football. And after all these were Rush fans.
By the time half-time started the Rush were within one score to tying the game. Ah, Arena Football. The perfect day put back on track.
"It is great to win the game but my feelings toward the Chicago fans wouldn’t have changed if we would have lost," said McMillen. "My family and I love this place and these fans."
The 21-point deficit erased to win this game was barely noticed to the packed house of 15,228 fans there to honor McMillen, when he mentioned that he wanted one more year. The cheers were deafening.
Arena Football is Chicago, heroes and all.
When the corporate brass is filled with emotion, you know something special is happening.
"We appreciate the kind of player Bob is," said President and General Manager Mike
Polisky. "We look for players that will keep the Rush in playoff contention but also the quality of person is just as important. We could not be happier for Bob. His leadership and commitment has brought so much to this team."
The fans cheering McMillen would not let Polisky be heard easily and yet, his looks toward that crowd was easy to understand. "It’s been a long road from the beginning," continued Polisky, "Our goal was to bring a great organization and team to Chicago and the response of the fans is an indication that we have the support needed to continue that mission."
The look in Polisky’s eyes was one of pure satisfaction because of a great
crowd and a win. After all, just looking at Polisky and you can tell winning is as important as filling seats. Smile and all. The Rush is in good hands.
I’m there for you
We know the corporate big wigs are always looking at numbers but, do the players and coaches really think about fans?
"I looked before the game and saw people filling the upper seats," said Head coach Michael Hohensee, "I turned to the players and they were making guesses as to the numbers we had. That is a motivating factor; don’t let anyone kid you."
"There is nothing like playing to a packed house," finished Hohensee. Then he added:
"Sure we notice, this is all about support, from athletes, to trainers to the people in the stands. Remember, my kids are here too."
From Japan was a new fan that just had to see Arena Football for herself. Miwa, 30, was here with friends that "never miss a game," and was awed by it all. "I like the power of the athletes," said Miwa in an accent you just had to hear, "They are very fast and there is always action. Always action. Are we winning?"
Not just then Miwa, but the Rush never goes quietly into the night. And before long, Miwa had even more action.
Rush DS Jeremy Unertl was an addition that has brought a lot of fans to their feet. And coming from Las Vegas hardly the AFL’s greatest draw, Unertl knows the power of fan involvement. "This is what playing football is all about," said Unertl in the middle of signing autographs. "I don’t know if people know how important momentum really is. Chicago fans are amazing in that they never get down. It is awesome to play here."
"It’s rough sometimes in the trenches," said OL/DL John Sikora. "But when you look up and see the entire place filled up, you get energy from their energy. Since I have this opportunity, I want fans to know just how important they are to us during the game. We really are in this together."
When fans are literally one foot away guys like Sikora know what they are talking about.
The family
The roar rising up ten minutes after the game ended was for McMillen trotting onto the field after his press conference.
There were so many fans it looked like the start of overtime.
And seeing that the Adrenaline Rush Dancers had their poster passed out for after game autographs let’s face it, McMillen was not the only one hearing cheers.
As "Jenny" walked by it sounded like a Britney Spears concert.
And the rustle of posters opening instantly sounded like wind on a prairie rather than an indoor football arena. Darn, I wish I had had poster. And Jenny is far more interesting than Britney Spears. Hey, it’s for my son OK.
"Our dancers get to know the fans really well," said Adrenaline Rush Director Wynne Lacey. "Most of us have worked in many different leagues and really like the environment of Arena Football. It is just as much for us as it is for them."
The whole day couldn’t have been scripted any better for heroes, fans, executives and story writers. In Chicago, the Arena Football team has a family and a future that will have weekly sell-outs giving scalpers a place at the table.
Success draws its own crowd.
And McMillen
Chicago is a city of blue collar heroes with class and McMillen deserves a place among the best of the best.
The league is well on its way and franchises like the Rush mean success for far more than players and fans in the Windy City. The league is benefited by Chicago’s excellence. A packed house and a 3-5 record going into the game prove that.
At halftime, Rush owners brought McMillen a plaque with jersey’s past and present the SaberCats fan in me noticed his green and gold. The history within that moment will not go unnoticed or forgotten.
As McMillen reached for his memento a banner with his number and accomplishment was unfurled from the rafters leaving the large man emotional and peering around the crowd.
"This league has brought a lot to me and means a lot to me," said McMillen with his son standing beside him. "I wanted to come home and play for this team and the way I and my family have been treated is overwhelming. I cannot say thank you enough, to the organization, my teammates but especially the fans."
"I mean every word I say," finished McMillen.
As the buzz at the post game autograph session became more sedate, you could see that everyone in Chicago means every word they say.
Oh, by the way Ditka was at the game.
Now where’s my Adrenaline Rush poster?
Sorry but McMillen is no Jenny.
It’s for my son!
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.
