Bear Down Sunday: Game #3

The Chicago Bears are 2-0 and travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers, who are 0-2.  Despite the opposite records, this looks to be a tough game.  For my connection today, I am featuring Mike Tomczak, former quarterback for both teams.

Tomczak was an undrafted free agent on the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears.  As unlikely as it would seem at the time, he would be the last active member of that team.

I was on the field as Tomczak played his last high school game.  Mount Carmel (my school), lead by Tony Furjanic, beat Thorton Fractional North.  The fans rode Tomczak unmercifully.  I almost felt bad for him.

He went on to have an excellent career at Ohio State and then a 15 year NFL career.  His 16,079 passing yards puts him #122 all time.  That is pretty darn good for an undrafted guy.  I met up with Tomczak during the last Chicago Rush season.  He was the Offensive Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Power.

Tomczak won the first 10 games he started, which broke the record held by former Steelers QB Mike Kruczek.  That record has since been broken by current Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.  I love symmetry like that.

I finish this by applauding Tomczak on a fine NFL career.  I am not sure who Tomczak will be backing today, but I will be rooting for his first team, his original hometown team, the Chicago Bears.

On the Beat with Mike Tomczak

The last time Mike Tomczak and I were on a football field together was in 1980 at Gately Stadium on Chicago's south side.  Tomczak was the senior quarterback at Thornton Fractional North, where he was coached by his father.  Tomczak, who was named the Illinois High School Player of the Year, went on to lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to two Big Ten titles.
He also had an excellent pro career, starting out as an undrafted rookie on the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears.  He would become the last active member of that team after piling up over 16,000 passing yards over his 15 seasons.
Back to Gately, though.
While Tomczak was a star, his opponent that day was Mount Carmel, (my high school).  We had our own star, too.  Tony Furjanic was an elite linebacker who also went on to star at Notre Dame and had a three year NFL career.
This was a much-anticipated matchup of two great teams and of two great players.  The MC home crowd was vicious to Tomczak, riding him the entire game and MC emerged victorious.
When the game ended, the MC crowd rushed the field to celebrate with the team.  I walked right by Tomczak, who had tears in his eyes.  I saw how much he wanted this game.
Fast forward 32 years and I again found myself on the same field as Tomczak.  He is the Offensive Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League.  Once again, Tomczak found himself on the losing end, as the Rush prevailed 45-14.
I approached Tomczak and wanted to talk a bit about that high school game.  I am sure he would remember the game (although certainly not me).  Unfortunately, he was rushed for time, but he did quickly give us his thoughts on coaching and his return visit to Chicago.
I truly enjoy interviewing people, but talking to Tomczak was especially cool for me.  As I walked to him, I kept having flashes of that game back in 1980.  Who would ever have thought we would meet again on a field like this?
As always, I thank the Chicago Rush and Director of Media and Public Relations Mike McLaughlin for the opportunity.  I encourage everyone to go to www.ArenaRush.com and like the Rush on Facebook and follow the Rush on twitter.  The next Rush home game is Saturday, May 4, against the Philadelphia Soul.

Bear Down Sunday #15 (Will Be Monday)

The Chicago Bears are 8-6 and again facing a must win situation. Unfortunately, they also need the Minnesota Vikings to lose. Monday night, the Green Bay Packers are in Chicago to play the Bears.
Back in 1980, Mike Tomczak was the quarterback for Thornton Fractional North High School. TF North was playing Mt. Carmel in a playoff game. Mt. Carmel, lead by linebacker Tony Furjanic, beat Tomczak's TF North team. I almost felt bad for Tomczak as our paths crossed on the field as the game ended.
After a good career at Ohio State University, Tomczak signed with the Bears as a free agent. Tomczak appeared in 6 games as the Bears went on to win the Super Bowl in his first year. Somewhat surprisingly, Tomczak would end up being the last active member of that Bears team.
Tomczak played in Chicago for 6 seasons before joining the Packers for a year. One year in Cleveland followed that and then he was off to Pittsburgh for the next 7 years.
Many people forget that Tomczak's career ended with the Detroit Lions. He signed with the Lions, but suffered a broken leg in the pre-season.