This Year, Football History Will Be Rewritten

We are headed for a historic Super Bowl, as for the first time ever, an African-American head coach will play in the big game. What's even better? It's a double duty, as both teams are headed by African Americans.

The media and press immediately caught on to this fact the minute these teams' victories and fates were sealed. Both coaches made statements that they felt proud and blessed to have conquered this feat.

With this past season, 2006 marked a record-breaking number of African Americans in coaching positions in the history of the sport at 167. This number includes seven each of head and assistant head coaches. In a sport where just about two-thirds of the players are minorities, the coach count is significant.

Head coach for the Chicago Bears, Lovie Smith, stated, "...there are not a lot of black coaches. In order for others to get a chance, the ones in position need to do well."

Indianapolis Colts' head coach Tony Dungy said of his trip to the Super Bowl, "As an African American, it's going to be special." He continued by turning his emphasis to the team as a whole, saying everyone has worked hard and deserves to be in the big game.

Smith and Dungy will face each other on Sunday, the 4^th of February, in Miami Florida. The Bears and the Colts, their respective teams, will meet for a _:00 p.m. kickoff time on the field of Orange Bowl Stadium for Super Bowl XLI.

This past season has shown Chicago at the top of the rankings for points scored off of turnovers and has given Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning the numbers to break all-time records for players wearing a Colts' uniform.

This year alone, Manning has thrown 4,397 yards for 31 touchdowns. This gives him the slight edge on Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman, who has thrown 3,193 yards to make 23 touchdowns. Though there is a small difference in numbers for this season, Manning has the experience of a seasoned veteran, playing 16 games for the Colts every year since 1998 for a total of nine seasons. Grossman has been with the Bears for four, but this is his first as starting quarterback.

While Manning is favored as a quarterback, the Bears are expected to show a strong defense and keep their emphasis on turnovers. Super Bowl XLI could be great.

For fans and players alike, the Super Bowl is not a one-night event. The celebration in Miami has already begun. The schedule includes:

• NFL Youth Football Clinics, free for children aged 8 - 12 -- www.nflyouthfootball.com
• Super Fieston!, a one day block-party of the Latin persuasion -- www.superfieston.com
• The Sports Career Expo Presented by Why Not Sports, Inc., where professionals offer career advice to youths in sports -- www.whynotsports.com
• Taste of the NFL, an NFL player will pair with a top chef from each Chicago and Indianapolis -- www.tasteofthenfl.com.

For more information on the entire event schedule, visit the official website at: http://www.superbowl.com/features/events_schedule.