CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
You may have heard that '85 Bear Steve "Mongo" McMichael is planning to run for Mayor of Romeoville. He's lived there for about four months and has co-owned a sports bar in Romeoville for two years.
McMichael says he got the idea to run from his customers and also has a desire to help the local school district – one that his 4-year-old daughter may one day attend.
There is also talk he may soon have a reality TV crew following him around. McMichael has said "maybe" in response to that.
But, if one thing is for sure, he says his political run is legit. We spoke with him on the phone on Good Day Chicago Friday morning.
"It's time for me to matter again and do something important in life. My whole life chock full of I will sacrifice myself for the greater good."
McMichael wouldn't be the first NFL alumni to run one of Chicago's suburbs.
In the 1990's Jim Schwantz played for the Bears, Cowboys, and 49ers. Now, he's Mayor of Palatine.
In fact, famous athletes are often recruited into politics. Ex-offensive lineman Jon Runyan is now a republican congressman in New Jersey and ex-quarterback Heath Shuler is a democratic congressman from North Carolina.
It's not just football, either. The old Pistons great, Dave Bing, became Mayor of Detroit three years ago and the Phoenix Suns point guard Kevin Johnson was just re-elected for a second term as Mayor of Sacramento.
In 2003 in Chicago, the former Bulls great Bob "Butterbean" Love ran for alderman on the Southwest Side. He made it to a runoff election but then lost to the incumbent.
And, who knows how the world would be different right now if Mike Ditka had decided to run for U.S. Senate when republicans came calling in 2004. His opponent would have been Barack Obama. Remember what Ditka said when he announced he wasn't running?
"I'm gonna have second thoughts 'til the day I die. There's no question about it."
One political expert told us most athletes do not make good politicians. One big difference is that politicians cannot duck questions -- they must answer them. Also, when you run for public office, the public owns you.
Other people told us that they think athletes know what it is like to put in a lot of effort into acheiving a goal and therefore, would make great politicians.
What do you think? Do ex-athletes make good politicans? Sound off on our Facebook page.
