CHICAGO, July 12 (UPI) -- Hall of Fame football coach Mike Ditka says he's just a regular guy but that shouldn't rule him out as a replacement Illinois U.S. Senate candidate.
The 66-year-old former head coach of the Chicago Bears appeared on television news shows to talk about a possible bid for Senate. More than 6,000 people have signed a petition for Republicans to draft Ditka as the "people's choice" for November.
"I'm getting excited about it. I'm just thinking about it," Ditka told WGN-TV, Chicago.
Ditka said he'd led a pretty interesting life that hasn't been perfect, but added even though he lacks experience he could be as good as a professional politician.
"If you're going to tell me I couldn't be a better senator than Ted Kennedy, D-Mass. -- I could be," Ditka said.
The Illinois GOP is scrambling to find a replacement for nominee Jack Ryan after the former investment banker withdrew from the race in June because of sex club allegations in his divorce documents.
