One Man's Private Super Bowl Dream

Well sure, it’s not so private anymore. And of course it involves the BEARS winning the Super Bowl. That’s just the context. Here’s the story …

Late in the season, possibly through injury, possibly through personnel moves, the BEARS find themselves with an open roster spot. They offer it to a specific former NFL running back. As the new 53^rd man, he dutifully stands on the sidelines with his comrades for every play of every game the rest of the way.

On Feb. 4, for one day, the BEARS unretire a specific jersey. That day, in Miami, the BEARS roll to a comfortable but far from conclusive lead. Somewhere in the third quarter, the offense drives to the 2-yard line. The 53^rd man, Jarrett Payton, runs out into the huddle, the blazing orange trim burning his uniform number into the eyes of all onlookers. The players break huddle and take their formation. Rex Grossman takes the snap and drops back. The linemen drive their opponents backward with the fury of a man fighting for survival. Jarrett accepts the handoff in his only play of the year. He darts forward and crosses the goal line, and after 21 years of patient waiting, a deserving city finally sees its beloved No. 34 Payton scoring a Super Bowl touchdown.

In the fleeting, reverent hush that follows, Jarrett humbly, gracefully, flips the ball to the referee. He and this moment are now etched forever in the yang of a city. An organization has filled the void in the heart of a city that loves it unconditionally. And a city whose identity is the struggle to keep its virtues just slightly more beautiful than its blemishes are ugly, erupts in wild celebration.

Ron Rivera is there to mark the occasion, perched high above the field in his post as defensive coordinator. Mike Singletary gives witness from the stands. Jim McMahon raises a beer and flashes his deranged, gap-toothed smile in a bar somewhere. Mike Ditka howls in the ESPN studio, finally granting himself the forgiveness that the city gave him long ago.

I know it could never happen. But it’s a dream that sure is fun to dream.