Every week fans gather at the Allstate Arena to cheer on Chicago's
arena football team -- the Chicago Rush. During the game, fans enjoy
fireworks and entertainment!
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Maybe you aren't too familiar with it, but arena football seems
to be pretty hot in Chicago. Just ask the fans.
"It's phenomenal. I like the action, I like the scoring. They
go for it. This is the first game I've been to, I love it. I've
been wanting to come for a couple of years and we said today we're
doing it," said Tony Wilkins.
"The game's different. A lot more excitement, it's faster, you're
closer to the action it's a lot of fun!" said Adler and Robert Weil.
"It's really fast paced. I think I like it more than the NFL because
it's fast paced and hard hitting," said Cody Wilkind.
Arena football is suitable for families as well as diehard football
fans.
"Well we have two different types of fans. We have first, the fanatical
football fan that has depression filled Sundays after the NFL season
is over, we're their Prozac," said Mike Polisky, GM. "We offer them
some great football on Sundays to keep them going until the NFL
comes back. The second is families because we are so affordable
and so accessible you can bring your whole family out and not have
to refinance your house," said Polisky.
Game days do not begin with a kickoff. In fact, the day actually
begins two hours earlier with the free Chicago Rush FamilyFest.
Fans include Chicago's own NFL icon, Mike Ditka -- who is now
a part owner of the team.
"Anyone who brings a family of kids to this game will enjoy it
much more than most sporting events they go to because they have
an entertainment package for everybody. And plus the football is
good, it really is," said Mike Ditka.
The field in arena football is about half the size as a normal
field.
"So you don't have problems with the changes they've made, the
football field being half the size, difference in rules? Being an
NFL coach like you are, you like what AFL's done?" said Mike Ditka.
"Well the reason the last time I coached at old age, we needed a
field that was half the size. We really did because we could've
done a lot better on a short field."
Another big difference is the players themselves. They play more
than one position.
"Our right tackle turns around and plays left and rushing to quarterback
and plays on special teams. Our athletes are not as specialized.
They are versatile and tremendous athletes; they're not 350 pound
athlete you see in the NFL," said Polisky.
"You name me two NFL players that can do it, I can't do it. Maybe
Brian Urlacher can do it, there's probably a few that could do it,
but not too many," said Ditka.
Since there is no 'out of bounds,' some seats are known as the
red zone. Very often you get a truly up close and personal view
of the game as a player lands in your lap!
"You've got the nets, the got the smaller field, you got the players
falling into the crowd," said Ryan Milligan.
Coach Ditka called his players a 'bunch of Grabowskis' back in
1985. When he came to the Rush he brought the Grabowski mascot with
him because the Rush players personify that lunch pail mentality.
"We got the new mascot Grabowski and it makes sense. Work ethic,
that's all it's about. Work hard, don't be a showboat, play hard,
leave it on the field," said Ditka.
And it's no wonder families love it-- tickets start at just 10
dollars!
For more information:
Chicago Rush
(877) 787-4849
www.chicagorush.com
