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"Words cannot fully express how excited everyone in Illinois was to
see the NFC Champion Chicago Bears return to the Super Bowl. Though
the outcome was less than hoped for, there is no shame for what this
amazing team accomplished," Gov. Blagojevich said. "Together, they
united Chicago and Bears fans all over the state who have waited
more than 20 years to get back to the Super Bowl. They should take
pride in what they achieved. I want to congratulate them for a
stellar season. And I want to especially congratulate Lovie Smith
for taking the team all the way to the Super Bowl." The Chicago
Bears had a remarkable 2006 regular season. Their 13-3 record was
the best in the NFC, which earned them a first round bye in the
playoffs, as well as home field advantage throughout the NFC
postseason. In honor of their amazing run, the Governor declared
February 5th to the 11th as Chicago Bears Week.
The text of the Governor's proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, the 2006
season for the Chicago Bears was one to remember. Not suffering a
defeat until Week Nine, the Bears finished the regular season with a
NFC best 13-3 record, earning a first round playoff bye and home
field advantage all throughout the NFC playoffs; and
WHEREAS, the Bears'
tough, hard-nosed play became evident during the season's first
game, as they beat the rival Green Bay Packers in stunning, shut-out
fashion. After six more consecutive wins, not only Bears fans but
football experts and enthusiasts all across the country began to
hail them as one of the elite teams in the NFL; and
WHEREAS, the
Chicago Bears' remarkable season was characterized by stellar team
play, boasting the NFL's second ranked offense; a swarming defense;
and a special teams squad that produced three Pro Bowl players; and
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WHEREAS, the City of Chicago rallied
their beloved Bears all the way to the NFC Championship game, where
they defeated the New Orleans Saints by a 39-15 score and stamped
their ticket to Super Bowl XLI; and
WHEREAS, with the win against the Saints, Bears Head Coach Lovie
Smith became the first African American Head Coach to lead a team to
the Super Bowl. Joining him mere hours later as the second man to
earn the distinction was Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy.
During this month of February, which is commemorated across the
country as African American History Month, we pay tribute to Coach
Smith and Coach Dungy for these historic achievements; and
WHEREAS, on
February 4, 2007, despite a valiant Chicago effort, Tony Dungy's
Colts defeated Lovie Smith's Bears in the Super Bowl by a score of
29-17. While the Bears will come home one win short of the title,
they should feel nothing but pride in the effort they put forth all
season, and in knowing that they will begin next season as the
defending NFC Champions; and
WHEREAS, this State
is honored to pay tribute to the Bears for their remarkable 2006
season, and we thank them for representing Illinois and Chicago with
class, dignity, and a winning spirit:
THEREFORE, I, Rod
R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby
proclaim February 5 – 11, 2007 as CHICAGO BEARS WEEK in Illinois in
recognition of their tremendous 2006 season.
(Text
copied from file received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information) |
