Many political experts view Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s easy win in the 2004 Illinois United States Senate race as the victory that catapulted him into the national spotlight and set him on his current path to the White House. But looking back at that victory, for a few days in 2004 there was a real possibility that Obama’s Republican opponent could have been Chicago Bears coaching legend Mike Ditka.

Ditka spoke about his possible candidacy to CNN News in an interview, and he does play the “what if” game:

“It would have been interesting, I’ll tell you that,” Ditka said, “I don’t know what would have happened if I had run. I really don’t. Could I have beaten him? Maybe. Maybe not.”

Ditka added that he gave serious consideration to running as the Republican nominee, but citied family and business obligations in declining the invitation. A staunch conservative, Ditka stated that he is firmly behind the McCain/Palin ticket come November.