By Fred Mitchell
The owners of the Rush are making plans to return the team to Chicago in 2011 for a revamped Arena Football League.
"I think it's great, I really do," co-owner Mike Ditka said Thursday. "I had a feeling it would be (back) a year down the road. I think the league has a purpose. It is a good form of entertainment and a good form of developing some of these kids if they can make the next step (to the NFL). Some of them can. But even the ones who can't, it's a great chance for them to show the talents they have and play the game they love."
The Rush was created in 2001 and reached the playoffs all eight seasons before the league folded last year. The Rush, winners of the ArenaBowl in 2006, was the most televised AFL team, averaging 98 percent capacity at its home games during the 2008 season.
The owners of the Rush are making plans to return the team to Chicago in 2011 for a revamped Arena Football League.
"I think it's great, I really do," co-owner Mike Ditka said Thursday. "I had a feeling it would be (back) a year down the road. I think the league has a purpose. It is a good form of entertainment and a good form of developing some of these kids if they can make the next step (to the NFL). Some of them can. But even the ones who can't, it's a great chance for them to show the talents they have and play the game they love."
The Rush was created in 2001 and reached the playoffs all eight seasons before the league folded last year. The Rush, winners of the ArenaBowl in 2006, was the most televised AFL team, averaging 98 percent capacity at its home games during the 2008 season.
"We drew pretty well in Chicago," Ditka said. "Philadelphia and
Chicago were two teams that drew a little better than others. I think
we have a good fan base there and I think people supported it pretty
well. It wasn't franchises like Chicago and Philadelphia that caused
the problem. It was probably some (other teams) owned by NFL owners who
felt like they didn't want to step up to the plate (financially)."
Rush co-owners Arthur Price, Peter Levin and Alan Levin join Ditka in believing that perhaps fewer teams and a more manageable league setup will keep the franchises afloat.
"They cut it down a little bit and I think they will have a better product. I don't think you need that many teams, and I think you should go with the communities and concentrate on the National Football League cities," Ditka said.
"While there are many rumors circulating about the creation of new leagues to play indoor football, none of them will compare to the quality and integrity of the suspended Arena Football League," said Alan Levin in a statement. "The original Chicago Rush ownership, along with the other franchises returning to play in 2011, will insure the same quality of play and operations that was the hallmark of the Rush."
Ditka says he was pleasantly surprised by the quality of play in the AFL.
"I think that in the beginning people thought this was kind of a gimmick thing," he said. "But when you see this game played on such a small playing surface, it is a lot quicker. This game is based on a little more quickness. The quarterback has to get rid of the ball quicker and things like that."
Rush co-owners Arthur Price, Peter Levin and Alan Levin join Ditka in believing that perhaps fewer teams and a more manageable league setup will keep the franchises afloat.
"They cut it down a little bit and I think they will have a better product. I don't think you need that many teams, and I think you should go with the communities and concentrate on the National Football League cities," Ditka said.
"While there are many rumors circulating about the creation of new leagues to play indoor football, none of them will compare to the quality and integrity of the suspended Arena Football League," said Alan Levin in a statement. "The original Chicago Rush ownership, along with the other franchises returning to play in 2011, will insure the same quality of play and operations that was the hallmark of the Rush."
Ditka says he was pleasantly surprised by the quality of play in the AFL.
"I think that in the beginning people thought this was kind of a gimmick thing," he said. "But when you see this game played on such a small playing surface, it is a lot quicker. This game is based on a little more quickness. The quarterback has to get rid of the ball quicker and things like that."
All Bears news delivered to your mailbox on Friday and Monday mornings. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Get our updates on 
One click more and I was here, thank you for writing this.