Lovie Downplays Return To Chicago
November 20th, 2014
At first it was jarring to hear. But research proved it correct. Bears linebacker Lance Briggs, who was close to Lovie Smith when the current Bucs coach led the Bears, noted in a teleconference call with the local pen and mic club yesterday that Lovie was the third-best coach in Bears history.
Briggs was spot-on.
Of course, Bears patriarch and founder George Halas coached Chicago for something like 148 years. Since Halas retired from coaching after the 1967 season, there have been but two Bears coaches with winning records. They are the only coaches who guided the Bears to a Super Bowl: Mike Ditka and Lovie.
When asked about returning to Chicago in his daily press conference Wednesday, Lovie did his best to deflect any attention. He stated, in several ways, the game is about the Bucs trying to put together a winning streak, not facing the team that fired him not quite two years ago for the gall to win 10 games.
“My memories of my time in Chicago are all great memories,” Lovie said. “I have lifetime friends from Chicago that will always be a part of our family. You talk about the opportunity I was given by the McCaskey family. It was all good memories. I don’t have many bad memories on any place I’ve ever been. We spent a lot of time there. Still have homes there. Need to buy one? No, but my wife is from Chicago and there’s nothing but fond memories from that time there. It’s a part of my past. But a part of my past that I will always cherish.
“I have a lot of fond memories. We won a lot of games – that’s what I remember. The fans there were awesome when we were winning all those games. So that’s my recollection. Again, the year I was off, really got to know some of them in a whole different light. So again, my time in Chicago, it’s nothing negative about my time there, and that includes fans – I don’t have anything but fond memories of my time there. Of course, the fans were a part of that.
“I have relationships each Sunday with someone. This past week, I knew about three of those guys personally. Week before that, it was kind of the same thing. Again, I have friends everywhere. Definitely have some friends [in Chicago]. But again, it’s about a football game and us trying to get a win.”
Of course, Lovie will never say it; will never admit it. But deep down inside, if he and the Bucs could pull off a win against the Bears, then he would savor the moment. That’s just human nature.
It’s hard for Joe to believe Lovie never felt jilted in some way by losing his job despite winning 10 games — by being shown the door by a man Lovie gave a thumbs-up to the McCaskey family to hire just a year prior.
To hear more from Lovie, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
November 20th, 2014 at 11:26 am
I have fond memories.
I have fond memories.
November 20th, 2014 at 11:28 am
Caught a break…..will be about 48…..warmest day of week…
Of course all those losers hoping for a loss for better draft position won’t be pleased…..
November 20th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
I think the Bucs will play very hard for Lovie, and themselves, in this game.
I will not be surprised if we win either.
November 20th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
I just want to see the defense line continue on from last week and
Get in Cutlers face
November 20th, 2014 at 12:13 pm
You’d have to think that Lovie has had this game circled all year. The team’s effort this week should really reflect on how committed the team is to him! @ Tampabaybucfan: yeah I don’t get the “winless for Winston” crowd either…. Good to see the game day weather will be almost as warm as the DC game last Sunday; hopefully the wind and rain willl not turn it into a runfest at Soldier on Sunday; would like to see the Bucs offense air it out against a bad Bear D…..
November 20th, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Lovie is a class act.
Very glad he is our coach.
Get the man a win team, he’s been sticking up for you all year.
November 20th, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Ah Lovie that’s great. Reminiscing about your glory days in Chicago. Is’nt that something you do after your coaching career is over? Those will be your glory days you can tell your grandchildren about, although with that calm demeanor you may live to be ninety. When your Bucs history reaches that level of pride I’ll be interested.
November 20th, 2014 at 3:20 pm
“Ah Lovie that’s great. Reminiscing about your glory days in Chicago. Is’nt that something you do after your coaching career is over? Those will be your glory days you can tell your grandchildren about, although with that calm demeanor you may live to be ninety. When your Bucs history reaches that level of pride I’ll be interested.”
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This is the best example possible of someone just hating. It’s mind boggling to me that anyone could possible feel that way without already having a bias against that person. He was basically asked if he wanted to stick it to Chicago, and he answered the EXACT same way all coaches returning to their old home have always responded. Yet, you just can’t pass up an opportunity to voice your displeasure with his response. It’s fair to criticize Lovie for our terrible season, but this just makes you look petty.
November 20th, 2014 at 6:19 pm
I don’t hate Lovie the snooze, just not a fan of his approach. Suck up to Lovie all you want, I won’t be.
November 20th, 2014 at 6:37 pm
How exactly am I sucking up to him? Please enlighten me, oh wise one.
November 20th, 2014 at 7:15 pm
HawaiianBuc… Opinions vary, that’s just the way different people think. If we all felt the same way about every subject that would get old fast. Wisdom has nothing to do with it. No need to nitpick my view, I’m a Bucs fan through and through.
November 20th, 2014 at 8:27 pm
Bucfan37,
So it’s your opinion that I’m sucking up to Lovie? It’s one thing to not dig Lovie. You are within your right, and with our 2-8 record, you would currently be right. He’s not doing a good enough job. I’m not arguing that with you (I believe I’ll get the final laugh soon enough). However, I don’t understand criticizing him for the same coach speak that every coach does. I couldn’t stand Schiano, but I didn’t nit pick at his press conferences. There was plenty of other stuff to criticize without making stuff up. I have no doubt you are a Bucs fan, but go back and re-read your criticism and tell me it doesn’t sound ridiculously petty.