Thanks for the memories
Bears players offer their recollections of the greatest Super Bowl moments
''I have none because I've never been,'' he said.
But ask Brown which Super Bowl memories stick out in his mind as a viewer, and he'll reel off plays and games that make him sound like a walking Super Bowl highlight film.
''I guess one game that sticks out was the fantastic defensive effort that Baltimore put up against the Giants [34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV]. That was sweet. You just knew after [Ravens receiver Brandon] Stokley caught that ball [for a touchdown] that it might be over after they hit 10 points because their defense was just that good.
''Then there were the ones when the Buffalo Bills went to [four] straight Super Bowls. You kept hoping they would win, but they lost each time. Only the first one [Super Bowl XXV] was close against the Giants. But the guy [Scott Norwood] missed a field goal. That was bad.
''Watching Deion Sanders play one year with the 49ers in 1994 [beating the San Diego Chargers 49-26], and the next year he goes with the Cowboys [beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17].
''Everybody also remembers the [1986] game where the Bears won it after breezing through the regular season [before beating the New England Patriots 46-10]. That was one awesome team. They came within one game of a perfect season, and they crushed their opponents. That team was in a special class.
''Yeah, watching football is what I do. I played since I was 4. I've watched so many highlights.''
But the most popular memory -- chosen by six Bears -- is of Super Bowl XXXIV on Jan. 30, 2000, when the St. Louis Rams beat the Tennessee Titans 23-16.
''The Tennessee Titans came up one yard short of tying the score as time ran out,'' cornerback Charles Tillman said. ''So the St. Louis Rams ended up winning.''
''That play was a classic example of how football can be a game of inches,'' tight end John Gilmore said, ''and how a win can be by the slightest of margins.''
Some other favorite Super Bowl memories among the Bears:
NATE VASHER: "I'd have to call them memories instead of just one memory. It was when I was a boy and my family would have Super Bowl parties where they'd watch the game together because it was the biggest sporting event of the year. So it gave our family a reason to celebrate a little family reunion. And I just enjoyed being in that joyous atmosphere, seeing family members together and having such a good time. Even relatives who didn't follow football would make it a point to watch that one game. And there'd be plenty of good food around, too.''
DANTE WESLEY: "I have two. One had to be [Super Bowl XXXVIII] when I participated with Carolina and my family was there to enjoy it with me. The other was [Super Bowl XXII] when Doug Williams was the first black quarterback to take a team to the Super Bowl, and he threw a deep touchdown pass to Ricky Sanders. He played for the Washington Redskins, and they played against the Denver Broncos [and won 42-10].''
JOHN GILMORE: "I was a big Dallas Cowboy fan growing up, and I was just so impressed with their whole dynasty and how they won [three Super Bowls in four years]. But if there was a single game, it was the one where the Titans came within a yard of scoring [the tying] touchdown [against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV] before time ran out.''
BREND AYANBADEJO: "I'd have to go with Super Bowl XX since I was living in Chicago at that time, am a native of Chicago and have always been a Bears fan. And the most exciting part of the game perhaps was seeing 'The Refrigerator' [William Perry] just chugging his way into the end zone for his touchdown. He steamrolled some poor linebacker. Aw, it was bad.''
TYLER EVERETT: "My favorite Super Bowl memory of all time is this one because this is the first one I've ever played in. And it will be extra special when we win it and all our family members can come down on the field and celebrate with us.''
RUBEN BROWN: "The one that I can vividly remember is the Marcus Allen run when he cut it back [in the Los Angeles Raiders' 38-9 victory against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII]. Then there's the Dallas Cowboy stuff because I'm a big Dallas fan.''
Adrian Peterson: A model of courage facing media despite stuttering problem.
Prince: He might be the most talented guy on the field today.
Tank Johnson: Three arrests in 18 months -- it's not the media.
Rex Grossman: Way to make the spotlight even hotter. That was ignorant.