updated 10:20 a.m. ET Dec. 12, 2006

WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, a potential presidential candidate, planned to end weeks of speculation Monday and tell a national audience ... he supports his hometown Chicago Bears.

Having some fun with all the political hype, Obama mocked the frenzied interest by taping the introduction to ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” game between his hometown Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Rams.

“So tonight I’d like to put all the doubts to rest. And tonight, after a lot of thought and a good deal of soul-searching, I would like to announce to my hometown of Chicago and all of America that I’m ready ...”

Pause.

“For the Bears to go all the way!” the Illinois senator said in a text released by his office.

In a teasing news release, his office said Monday afternoon that Obama would make an “announcement” before the game “about an upcoming contest of great importance to the American people.”

Obama spent Sunday in the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire where he drew huge crowds, a crush of media and fueled talk of a White House bid.

“This is a contest about the future. A contest between two very different philosophies. A contest that will ultimately be decided in America’s heartland,” Obama said during the taped introduction. “In Chicago, they’re asking, does the new guy have enough experience to lead us to victory? In St. Louis, they’re wondering, are we facing a record that’s really so formidable? Or is it all just a bunch of hype?”

The Bears (10-2) faced the Rams (5-7) in St. Louis.

Although the game is on cable, last week’s contest between Green Bay and Seattle drew 12.7 million viewers, good exposure for any candidate.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 17 games TITANS 16, COLTS 10: Collins leads way after Young hurt BEARS 33, SAINTS 25: Chicago eliminates New Orleans REDSKINS 27, COWBOYS 6: Washington storms into playoffs BROWNS 20, 49ERS 7: Quinn makes debut; Cleveland must hope CHARGERS 30, RAIDERS 17: Rivers, L.T. lead S.D. to 6th straight TEXANS 42, JAGUARS 28: Davis returns 2 kickoffs for touchdowns BENGALS 38, DOLPHINS 25: Tuna era starts badly, Miami ends 1-15 PATRIOTS 38, GIANTS 35: Brady-to-Moss TD vaults team to 16-0 FALCONS 44, SEAHAWKS 41: Atlanta ends terrible year on high note PACKERS 34, LIONS 13: Green Bay rests key players, still rolls EAGLES 17, BILLS 9: Westbrook sets two records in victory BRONCOS 22, VIKINGS 19: Elam's field goal wins it in overtime JETS 13, CHIEFS 10: Nugent's FG in OT wins meaningless game PANTHERS 31, BUCS 23: Carolina sends Testaverde out a winner RAVENS 27, STEELERS 21: Pittsburgh plays it safe, rests stars CARDINALS 48, RAMS 19: Arizona has first winning season in 9 years

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Packers GM in no-win situation with Favre Packers president backs GM, coach over Favre Vikings silent about Favre tampering charges   Video: Madden says Favre to play again   Video: Hey Brett, please say bye-bye for good Fans voice their opinion on Favre's return Jaguars' Porter has hamstring surgery Story lines galore in Cowboys training camp Patriots no longer Boston's royal franchise? Lack of respect provides incentive for Giants NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: