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  6. article_body => "<p>Former Bears head coach Lovie Smith is the latest NFL figure to express condolences for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/bears\/former-bears-president-ceo-michael-b-mccaskey-dies-76\">Michael McCaskey\u2019s death<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Smith tweeted this thread on Sunday morning, explaining how important McCaskey was to Smith\u2019s development as a head coach in the NFL.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">CAN\u2019T THANK HIM ENOUGH\u00a0\u00a0FOR THE OPPORTUNITY! MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE MCCASKEY FAMILY FOR THEIR LOSS!<\/p>&mdash; Lovie Smith (@LovieSmith) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LovieSmith\/status\/1262046569018396673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 17, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>McCaskey and the Bears gave Smith his first head coaching opportunity. After coaching the Bears for nine seasons, he coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two seasons. He\u2019s currently the head coach of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.<\/p>\n<p>In his nine seasons with the Bears, Smith led the team to an 81-63 record, three playoff appearances and one Super Bowl berth.<\/p>\n<p>The Bears announced McCaskey died on Saturday afternoon. He was 76 years old.<\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/22004dc7-62d9-49f7-9af7-6a8fe5df6c76\/embed?theme=dark-custom&primary_color=%23fa4616&playlist_type=latest\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe> \n<em><a href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb676790335f?site_id=Dig_RSN_Chi&creative_id=nbcschi1140&cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&cp_1=washington&cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&cp_3=nbcschi1140\">Click here<\/a> to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/bears\">Bears<\/a>.<\/em> \n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n"
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Bears

Bears

Former Bears head coach Lovie Smith is the latest NFL figure to express condolences for Michael McCaskey’s death.

Smith tweeted this thread on Sunday morning, explaining how important McCaskey was to Smith’s development as a head coach in the NFL.

McCaskey and the Bears gave Smith his first head coaching opportunity. After coaching the Bears for nine seasons, he coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two seasons. He’s currently the head coach of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.

In his nine seasons with the Bears, Smith led the team to an 81-63 record, three playoff appearances and one Super Bowl berth.

The Bears announced McCaskey died on Saturday afternoon. He was 76 years old.

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of the Bears.