Legendary NFL coach was seen as best GOP hope in Illinois
Thursday,
July 15, 2004 Posted: 11:19 AM EDT (1519 GMT)
Bears legend Mike Ditka explains why he won't run for the Senate.
CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka said Wednesday night that he has decided not to run for the open U.S. Senate seat in Illinois.
"I've thought about it. I've talked to my family. I've talked to some close friends. I have a lot of commitments that I've made previous to this coming up, some obligations to my partners here at this restaurant. And therefore, it's something that I can't do at this time," he said.
Ditka spoke to reporters outside his steakhouse in Chicago.
He said he was "honored" that Republican leaders had approached him and that the attention he received was "flattering."
"Five [or] six years ago, I would have jumped on it, I would have ran with it and I know this -- that I would make a good senator because I'm for the people."
In addition to his restaurant, Ditka also serves as a football analyst for ESPN.
Ditka's decision means with less than four months to go before Election Day, Republicans still don't have a candidate to face Democratic state Sen. Barack Obama in the race to replace retiring GOP Sen. Peter Fitzgerald.