The Super Bowl isn’t just about letting the Bears and Colts duke it out on the field. It goes deeper than that. It’s about two cities that have their share of famous faces and own their curious quirks–and can fathom the depths of sports futility like few other towns. As RedEye lets these battling burgs square off before the Super Bowl, we set out to answer this question: Who deserves it more?
CHICAGO / INDIANAPOLIS
FAMOUS LANDMARKS
CHICAGO
Sears Tower, Lake Michigan, Chicago River, Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, Navy Pier, Merchandise Mart, Marina City, Museum Campus, The Bean
INDIANAPOLIS
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, White River State Park, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (world’s largest), Monument Circle
WINNER: Chicago. It’s almost cruel to compare.
FAMOUS RESIDENTS
CHICAGO
Oprah Winfrey, John and Joan Cusack, Michael Jordan, Jeremy Piven, Harrison Ford, Vince Vaughn, Kanye West, Patricia Arquette, Robin Williams, Bill Murray, John Malkovich, Lupe Fiasco, Fall Out Boy, David Schwimmer, R. Kelly, Ludacris, Billy Corgan, Liz Phair, Chris O’Donnell, Mr. T
INDIANAPOLIS
Brendan Fraser, Babyface, Mike Epps, Vivica Fox, David Letterman, Kurt Vonnegut
WINNER: Chicago. Again, it’s cruel. Oprah could eat Indianapolis’ celebs for breakfast, with Babyface for dessert.
WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS
CHICAGO
Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye (Indiana University), punter Brad Maynard (Ball State), quarterback Rex Grossman (Bloomington South High School) and backup Kyle Orton (Purdue)
INDIANAPOLIS
Tackle Ryan Diem (Glenbard North High School, Northern Illinois), defensive back Kelvin Hayden (Hubbard High School, Illinois), wideout Aaron Moorehead (Deerfield High School, Illinois) and guard Matt Ulrich (Streamwood High School, Northwestern)
WINNER: Indy has more high school ties, and we’d hate to upset the cheerleaders.
GREATEST SPORTS FAILURES
CHICAGO
Chicago: We begin with the Cubs, who haven’t won a World Series since 1908 and carry the curse of a goat (1945), a black cat (1969) and an unwitting fan who just wanted to watch his favorite team win a National League pennant (2003). The Blackhawks rank a close second on the misery scale, having gone without a championship since 1961. Pittsburgh swept them out of the finals in 1992.
Before the White Sox became champions in 2005, they hadn’t won a World Series since 1917. Even the Bears have suffered some bitter playoff losses in recent years. But what really stings fans is that the dominant ’85 team couldn’t get back to the Super Bowl. It lost to Washington in the first round of the playoffs each of the following two years.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indy: The Colts won Super Bowl V–the Baltimore Colts, that is. The Indianapolis version has frequently disappointed in the playoffs, including last season’s fluke-filled 21-18 playoff loss to Pittsburgh.
In hoops, the Pacers have never won an NBA championship. The closest Reggie Miller and Co. got was in 2000, when they lost in the finals to the L.A. Lakers. In 1998, they were bounced from the Eastern Conference Finals by–yep–Michael Jordan’s Bulls. Meanwhile, Indiana University fans have been waiting for another NCAA championship since 1987.
WINNER: Chicago, where the phrase “Haven’t we suffered enough?” has no meaning.
GREATEST SPORTS REASONS CITY DESERVES TITLE
CHICAGO
This city of millions lives and dies with every game despite a collective history of disappointment and mental anguish. Other than that it’s no big whoop, really.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indy: Let’s be honest: There is no compelling reason. OK, maybe Peyton Manning wouldn’t look so glum on the sideline next season, if only for a few games.
WINNER: Chicago, Chicago, Chicago.
REASONS CITY DOESN’T DESERVE TITLE
CHICAGO
We’ve had it pretty good with the Bears in ’85, the Bulls in the ’90s and the White Sox in ’05. Are we getting–gasp–a little greedy?
INDIANAPOLIS
No one’s going to remember the Super Bowl even happened by the time drivers are revving their engines at the next Indy 500.
WINNER: Indy. We know from the Bobby Knight era you can’t have Hoosiers getting too cocky.
GOOFIEST NAME FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD
CHICAGO
Brainerd
INDIANAPOLIS
Broad Ripple, Rocky Ripple
WINNER: Indy. Ripple?
NOTABLE EMPLOYERS
CHICAGO
Boeing, Sara Lee, United
INDIANAPOLIS
Eli Lilly, WellPoint
WINNER:
Chicago. Airplanes and pie vs. pharmaceuticals and health insurance
WORST STEREOTYPES
CHICAGO
The mustache-wearing, bratwurst guzzling Super Fan.
INDIANAPOLIS
The race car-loving gearhead who can’t let go of Bobby Knight.
EDGE: Chicago. Ask yourself this: Did “SNL” ever parody a group of gearheads?
OVERALL WINNER
Of course, Chicago wins. If you believe otherwise we will say good day to you, you horse-loving traitor.
$558,838
The going price for a sideline luxury suite ticket listed on stubhub.com late Sunday. The lowest non-auction seat, in Section 431, listed for $3,299.
$21,399
The price of four tickets in Section 138 listed on ebay.com late Sunday.
