After waiting twenty-one years, the Chicago Bears went back to the Super Bowl. Not only have they accomplished this goal, but their coach, Lovie Smith, has made history.
Smith is not only the first African American to hold the position of head coach of the Chicago Bears in the football team’s 85-year history, but he is also the first African American to lead the Bears to the Super Bowl.
Growing up in a small town of 300 in Big Sandy, Texas, Lovie had an alcoholic father and a mother who struggled to make ends meet. But regardless of what type of environment he grew up in, he always had the drive to do better. Smith always had a love for football.
In 2004, he was hired by the league’s oldest matriarch, 81-year-old Virginia McCaskey, to coach the Bears.
Lovie never dreamed of holding that position. But when he was given the job, he set three goals when he was hired to be the 13th head coach. His goals were to end the decade of dominance by the Green Bay Packers over the Bears, to capture the NFC North Division for Chicago, and to win the Super Bowl.
So far, he has accomplished two out of the three. Now let’s look at other outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable individual. Lovie Smith was named the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award in 2005 after becoming the fastest head coach in Bears history to lead the team to a division title.
Smith guided the Bears to their first-ever NFC North Division Title in 2005. He is leading the youngest team in the NFL at the moment.
Anytime an African American accomplishes any high positions whether it is in politics, corporate America, or in entertainment, the African American community gains more hope. It’s a beautiful thing to see an African American progress in the world. Lovie Smith along with Tony Dungy broke the color barrier. History is in the making. It definitely matters that both of them led a team to the Super Bowl. I hope Smith continues to coach for twenty to thirty more years.
Two African American coaches competed for the Super Bowl championship during Black History Month. Regardless of the outcome, it’s a historic year for African Americans in the NFL.