By AP/KWMU
Chicago, Ill. – Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka will not run for U.S. Senate in Illinois.
Iron' Mike made the announcement Wednesday night outside his restaurant in Chicago.
"There was a moment when I said 'God, I'd like to take this and run with it,'" Ditka noted. "Then I said 'You know, put your head on straight and think about what you're getting into now.'"
The Illinois Republican Party now has to scramble again to find someone to face Democrat Barack Obama. A number of top choices - including State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger and former state schools chief Ron Gidwitz - have already said no.
Jack Ryan left the race for Senate a few weeks ago after divorce records became public. But Ryan told a Chicago TV station he has no intention to rejoin the race. He hasn't yet filed to paperwork to take himself off the ballot.