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 4 games STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20, OT: Baltimore loses first game of season REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 24: Dallas can't contain Portis in 1st loss BEARS 24, EAGLES 20: Goal-line stand boosts Chicago JETS 56, CARDINALS 35: Favre throws career-high 6 TDs BUCS 30, PACKERS 21: Ryan's 3 FGs lift Tampa CHARGERS 28, RAIDERS 18: San Diego tops rival 10th straight time BILLS 31, RAMS 14: Buffalo 4-0 for first time since 1992 CHIEFS 33, BRONCOS 19: Johnson rushes for 198 yards for K.C. BROWNS 20, BENGALS 12: Anderson throws TD TITANS 30, VIKINGS 17: Tennessee 4-0 for first time ever PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 9: Smith honors Lucas after TD JAGUARS 30, TEXANS 27, OT: Scobey kicks game winner SAINTS 31, 49ERS 17: McAlister scores first TD of year

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