Bears v. Colts

Super Bowl XLI is guaranteed to be historic because of race.

When I saw the Saints fall apart and it became clear that the Bears and Coach Lovie Smith were going to the Super Bowl, I didn't think about Smith's skin color.

Congratulations to him. It's a tremendous accomplishment to coach your team to the Super Bowl. Smith seems like a nice guy and he's done a great job with the Bears.

But there's the rub -- the BEARS.

As a Packers fan, I can't be happy about the Bears being in the Super Bowl.

It's not that I never cheer for the Bears. Just last weekend, I was thrilled that the Bears kept the Seahawks out of the NFC championship game -- anything to keep Mike Holmgren away from winning another Lombardi Trophy.

It's small of me, but I blame him for the 1998 Packers loss in Super Bowl XXXII.

Even though I still hold a grudge against him for his poor coaching in that game, I felt sorry for Holmgren after Seattle's loss to the Bears. He seemed so dejected. I felt guilty for wanting him to lose.

I digress.

Today, I really, REALLY wanted the Saints to beat the Bears. Alas, it was not to be. The Saints were sloppy, turnovers and penalties. (What happened? Was it a lack of preparation? Did George Bush have something to do with it? Did FEMA screw up?)

Actually, I think you must give credit where credit is due -- the Bears' defense is a superior force and they eventually wore down the Saints.

As it turns out, it will be the Bears v. the Colts, both teams coached by African-Americans.

When I heard that the Colts would be the Bears' opponent, I was glad that New England wouldn't be returning for another shot at the championship. I was happy for the Colts and their fans.

I admit that I didn't think about Tony Dungy's skin color.

Was I supposed to?

I think I was. The media are telling me I should be thinking about it.

(AP) -- Two good friends who happen to be NFL coaches are already front-and-center in this Super Bowl, and kickoff is still two weeks away.

Lovie Smith became the first black head coach to make it all the way to the NFL's marquee game Sunday when his Chicago Bears won the NFC championship.

About four hours later, his pal and mentor, Tony Dungy, joined him there when his Indianapolis Colts took the AFC title.

For the first time in the big game's 41-year history, not one, but two black head coaches will be on the sidelines.

"It means a lot," Dungy said after a 38-34 victory over the New England Patriots. "I'm very proud to represent African-American coaches."

...Smith and Dungy are breaking new ground for black coaches in the league, much like Washington's Doug Williams did for black quarterbacks in the 1988 Super Bowl.

"Being the first black coach to lead this team, of course our players knew about it, and they wanted to help us make history," Smith said. "So I feel blessed to be in that position."

Smith was one of Dungy's assistants when the two were with Tampa Bay from 1996-2000, and they established a friendship that has grown in the years since. Now, the two buddies will go to the Super Bowl — with the chance to win a championship.

"We have to play someone, and, in my perfect world, I would like to see the Colts be that team," Smith said after the Bears won. "Tony Dungy has done an awful lot for our game. He hasn't had a chance to coach in the Super Bowl. I would love to see it."

Now everyone will get that chance.

When Dungy started in Tampa, there were just three black head coaches in the NFL.

This season, there were seven. Now, there will be two in the Super Bowl.

...Smith and Dungy already have sealed a huge victory for minority coaches, regardless of who brings home a championship.

"I'm happy for both coaches," Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney said. "I hope we get to the point we don't have to hear about it."

Exactly! Wouldn't it be nice if race didn't play in to this?

Why should anyone be shocked that teams coached by African Americans are in the Super Bowl?

I think it's too bad that it's a big deal.

Aren't we past that point?

Apparently not.

Upon being reminded, repeatedly, that Super Bowl XLI would be significant for its racial composition, I wondered whether both Smith and Dungy are really black and not pretenders like some other African Americans.

Are they black with an asterisk, like Clarence Thomas?

Are they Uncle Tom blacks, like Michael Steele?

Will they be pelted with Oreos?

I haven't heard about any of that sort of stuff when it comes to Smith and Dungy. I guess African Americans in the NFL are REAL representatives of their race.

As I said before, Smith seems like a nice man.

Nothing personal against him, but I'll be cheering for the Colts. I hope Tony Dungy is the winning coach. I don't want Lovie Smith and his Bears to take the title.

Does that make me a racist?

I hope not. I'm not a racist. I'm a Packers fan.