Originally Published: December 27, 2006

Illinois: No. 11 football state

Print Share
ESPN.com

Select another state:

ILLINOIS' NATIONAL RANK
No. 14 pro | No. 22 college | No. 11 high school
Walter Payton

NFL
No. 14 Illinois

<<< No. 13 Michigan · No. 15 Colorado>>>

Da Bears. Nothing is sweeter to Chicago fans than the 1985 Super Bowl win, even though the Fridge, not Walter Payton got a rushing touchdown. This franchise, however, has been a power since George Halas founded it in Decatur in 1920. The early years include a 73-0 drubbing of the Redskins in the 1940 NFL championship game. In addition to Payton, Bronko Nagurski and Gayle Sayers have run out of the Chicago backfield. Linebackers Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary were waiting for backs long before Brian Urlacher donned a Bears jersey.
• Join the Illinois debate | Submit your opinion on pro football

Jonathan Bender
Bears fan Jonathan Bender: At a time when men must choose between being metrosexuals and unabashed chauvinists, the Chicago Bears offer the average guy a chance to appreciate what it really means to be a man. No other team in professional football has maintained its character and understood what drives its fan base better than the Bears. Read more from Jonathan

COLLEGE
No. 22 Illinois

<<< No. 21 North Carolina · No. 23 New Jersey>>>

Illinois played host to the first homecoming weekend in 1910. Halfback Red Grange (who helped build the young NFL barnstorming with the Bears), fullback and linebacker Ray Nitschke and quarterback Jeff George played for the Illini. Illinois has played in four Rose Bowls, while Northwestern has been to two. Otto Graham played quarterback for the Wildcats.
• Join the Illinois debate | Submit your opinion on college football

HIGH SCHOOL
No. 11 Illinois

<<< No. 10 Michigan · No. 12 South Carolina>>>

Among the football powers in Illinois are Chicago-area Mount Carmel, Saint Rita and Joliet Catholic. Simeon High is home to the nation's No. 1 ranked defensive end in 2006, Martez Wilson. Other top schools include Naperville Central and Lincoln-Way East. Bills GM Marv Levy was born in Chicago. Spring 2006 DI signees: 56. Fall 2006 high school football teams: 554.
• Join the Illinois debate | Submit your opinion on prep football

Alex Ruppenthal
Alex Ruppenthal: In Illinois, high school football serves as a reward for a hard week's work. This is a blue-collar state. From metropolitan Chicago to rural central and southern Illinois, people work extremely hard. Friday night (or Saturday afternoon) football is the light at the end of a long tunnel. Read more from Alex

POLL QUESTION

1) Who is the greatest Bear?

Dick Butkus
Mike Ditka
Red Grange
George Halas
Walter Payton
Brian Urlacher

Hashing out the best football state

football, baby
ESPN.com has teed up the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Now the football is in your hands. Pull on your gameday jersey, tape up those writing fingers and hit back with your opinion. We'll print the best fan signal callers on our pages. Submit your opinion

States' overall football rank
1. Texas | Conversation
2. California | Conversation
3. Florida | Conversation
4. Pennsylvania | Conversation
5. Ohio | Conversation
6. Georgia | Conversation
7. Michigan | Conversation
8. Louisiana | Conversation
9. New Jersey | Conversation
10. Wisconsin | Conversation
11. Illinois | Conversation
12. Alabama | Conversation
13. Virginia | Conversation
14. North Carolina | Conversation
15. Missouri | Conversation
16. New York | Conversation
17. Maryland | Conversation
18. Tennessee | Conversation
19. Oklahoma | Conversation
20. Indiana | Conversation
21. Nebraska | Conversation
22. Colorado | Conversation
23. Washington | Conversation
24. Minnesota | Conversation
25. Mississippi | Conversation
26. Iowa | Conversation
27. Massachusetts | Conversation
28. Arizona | Conversation
29. Arkansas | Conversation
30. District of Columbia | Conversation
31. West Virginia | Conversation
32. South Carolina | Conversation
33. Oregon | Conversation
34. Nevada | Conversation
35.Hawaii | Conversation
36. Kentucky | Conversation
37. Utah | Conversation
38. Kansas | Conversation
39. Connecticut | Conversation
40. Idaho | Conversation
41. New Mexico | Conversation
42. New Hampshire | Conversation
43. Rhode Island | Conversation
44. Wyoming | Conversation
45. Delaware | Conversation
46. North Dakota | Conversation
47. South Dakota | Conversation
48. Maine | Conversation
49. Montana | Conversation
50. Vermont | Conversation
51. Alaska | Conversation

ESPN TOP HEADLINES

MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM

Most Sent »