Bears thankful for family plan
Wives, kids, kin set up to enjoy Super Bowl moment
''It's a business trip as much as anything else,'' Smith said Thursday. ''But at the same time, you want the players and their families to enjoy it.''
Consequently, team management is making the trip a huge family affair, chartering jets to fly family members and friends of the coaches and players into Miami on Thursday to have ringside seats for cheering their heroes to victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
''Whenever you get on this type of a stage, of course we are excited for our team,'' Smith said. ''But for members of our families, too.
''I just know that we're looking for tickets just like [everybody else]. We don't have tickets to go around for all our players. Big Sandy [Texas, Smith's hometown] is a small town, but a big part of them will be there. Hopefully we can all enjoy the game.''
Each player will receive 15 tickets, but most said they could have used far more.
Even though it's normal courtesy for teams to fly in families of players competing in championship games, tight end John Gilmore said he was caught off guard by the Bears' generosity.
''I have a big family,'' Gilmore said. ''I've got 14 aunts and uncles just on my father's side and more than 100 cousins, so I have a big support system in whatever I do.
''I rented a two-bedroom condo right downtown, right off the beach. It sleeps eight to 10 people. Next thing I know, I get phone calls telling me about 25 people are coming. I don't know where they all are going to sleep, but we'll figure it out. I'm just thankful the Bears are doing this.''
Gilmore is not alone in appreciating having his family present.
John St. Clair: ''Your family is more excited than you to come down and watch a once-in-a-lifetime event like the Super Bowl. This is my second. I went in 2002 with the Rams. We lost to the Patriots. They chartered our families in, too, and gave them the royal treatment with police escort and everything, just like we players got. They were on cloud nine.
''My wife is especially thrilled about it because we have a house down there, so she will be entertaining a lot of people. I'll have eight people in my group. More want to come, but the tickets are $600 apiece, so I can't go overboard.''
Muhsin Muhammad: ''I had more than 15 family members to go with me when I went the first time with Carolina [losing to the Patriots in 2004], but I'll have more than 15 this time. I definitely want my family there. My kids are a little older now, and they definitely know what's going on and it's something I want them to experience with me again.''
<Israel Idonije: ''I'm happy that they're not just flying in our families but planning a whole schedule of activities to keep them busy and entertained. My parents, brothers and sisters, agents and others will be there. But I won't really be able to enjoy their company until after the game.''
Charles Tillman: ''My wife is just excited that she'll be able to get a quick vacation in and to be able to celebrate with me and tell everybody, 'I was there when my husband got a Super Bowl ring.' My wife enjoys the game and likes the opportunity to be a part of a history-making event.''
Nate Vasher: ''It's special to have your family to share the biggest stage in the world with you. I know my mother will be especially proud just to see her baby there in person, doing something positive. We players are going to enjoy ourselves, but we're taking everything in perspective because we know what's at stake.''
Brendon Ayanbadejo: ''My family will already be there because I live there. o for me, it will be a home game. I played maybe 40 games in that stadium [as a member of the Dolphins], so I know what the field, atmosphere and temperature will be all about.''
Tyler Everett: ''The best thing about having our closest relatives there with us is that after we win the Super Bowl, they will all be able to come down on the field and celebrate with us.''
Dante Wesley: ''I played in the 2004 Super Bowl with Carolina, and I can see it means a lot to have your family share it with you because they are your backbone and most of these guys come from strong family traditions. I'll have a dozen with me again.''