December 20, 1998-The Greatest Game Ever Played

At the age of 32, my greatest dream as a football fan was to see an NFL game from the sideline. On December 20, 1998, that dream came true. My job as an assistant state's attorney brought me into contact with a deputy Cook County sheriff who was a security supervisor at Soldier Field. His son was a victim of a felony battery, and I prosecuted the case. He heard that I dreamed of watching an NFL game up close and personal. He made it happen. I was given a magic pass and one for a friend. The pass said "McCormick Place Maintenance." I asked my Dad to come with me. I was officially "Hooked Up."

When we arrived at our special mini-gate, the door opened and we were escorted through. At the field, a guard allowed us onto the gridiron with a flourish. Amazing what a laminated placard hanging from your neck can accomplish.

We found a spot on the sideline and looked around. I couldn't believe my eyes. There were a hundred civilians all over the place. I was crushed. This was supposed to be an impossible feat. The sideline was top security only. Who were these jokers? All pre-game, women and children are walking up and down the sideline. These people with no reverence for what was to take place on this field in a few minutes. Get them out of here. They were killing my buzz.

My disappointment was short-lived. After the National Anthem, the ghost of Ditka appeared and removed all the infidels. All that remained were the Bears, the coaches, NFL Films, John McQuaid and son. We had the joint to ourselves. The Bears with a 3-10 record vs. the Baltimore Ravens with a 2-11 record, a hugely anticipated affair. The Bears trotted out for the kickoff. Jim Schwantz, the Bears special teams stud, took a knee and prayed.

Once the ball was kicked off, I knew what he prayed for. HIS LIFE. Schwantz ran after the ball, found the biggest player on the Ravens return team and ran into him as hard as he could. It sounded like an M-80 explosion. I was ecstatic. It didn't matter that both teams blew chunks; this was football at its highest level. The players were huge and fast. It was like watching car crash after car crash. I was in awe of the quarterback's ability to do anything with the ball. It was like standing in the middle of the freeway and trying to get the license numbers of the cars whizzing past. Impossible.

I don't think my dad was quite as thrilled. For starters, he had no where to sneak off for a smoke. You also couldn't drink beer on the sideline. Sorry, Dad. I, however, fell in love with the NFL for life. The Bears played well that day and won 24-3. It didn't matter. The thrill existed in each play. Every collision was memorable. I gained great respect for the players. They take years off of their lives playing pro football. They destroy their bodies, all for my enjoyment. I know that sounds sick, but hell, I'm sick.

I would love to go back down there. The experience was sports-life changing. College football is for pansies. The true gladiators still exist. They perform every Sunday in the fall at a stadium near you.