No African-American coach has ever led a team into the Super Bowl. Dungy, Shell and Green have led their teams to the conference championship games, but that’s where their journey stopped. Dungy’s Bucs lost at St. Louis in the 1999 NFC championship game and the Colts lost at New England in the 2003 AFC title game. Green’s heavily favored Vikings dropped an overtime decision to the Falcons in the 1998 NFC championship game at home to the Falcons. Shell brought a solid Los Angeles Raiders team to Buffalo in the 1990 AFC championship game, but the powerhouse Bills demolished the visitors 51-3.

“I hope for a day when race is no longer a big issue,” Smith said. “But that day isn’t here. This is the first time and you have to acknowledge that. We do. I do. I realize the responsibility that comes with that.

“But as much as anything, I realize my responsibility of just being the head coach of the Chicago Bears, and it’s been a long time since we’ve been in this position. I’m just excited for our football team to be able to take another step.”

The Bears haven’t been to the NFC Championship game since hosting the 49ers following the 1988 season. Despite miserably cold conditions that were expected to leave the visitors gasping for breath and looking for warmth, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice led the Niners to an easy 28-3 victory.

Dungy and Smith have substantial assignments in front of them if they are going to meet for dinner again in South Florida. Dungy’s Colts face a team that has proven it can win under any circumstances in the Patriots. Smith’s Bears will host an explosive Saints offense that has shown it can score from anywhere at anytime.

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But both have the advantage of playing their conference championship games at home and have substantial teams of their own. If they can hold serve on Sunday, it will be a watershed moment in the history of the NFL shared by two great friends.