Local Flavor to Super Bowl XXXIX

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Feb 4, 2005 8:17PM

Sure, it's been a while since the Bears played in the Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean that there are no Chicago ties to this year's big game. When the Philadelphia Eagles take on the New England Patriots (the ones the Bears beat 46-10 in Super Bowl XX), there will be plenty of locally grown players as well as a number of former Bears.

Perhaps the biggest local boy is Eagles QB Donovan McNabb. Before joining the NFL and hawking Chunky Soup, McNabb played high school football at Mt. Carmel while growing up in Chicago.

For the Patriots, star Safety Rodney Harrison attended Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights and Western Illinois before making it to the NFL.

The Pats also have a defense that's chock full o' former Bears. Linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and Defensive tackle Keith Traylor (who replaced ex-Bear Ted Washington in the Pats defense this season) both will be looking to ruin NcNabb's day. Even former Bears QB Jim Miller will be on the sidelines -- although he likely won't see any action as the Patriots third-string QB. But hey, he'd still get a ring... which is more than any Bear can hope for this year.