Fans welcome the Rush In home opener before 10,732, new Arena League team prevails in high- scoring affair

Rush 41 Cobras 38

This was to be Walter Payton's team.

The late Bears star was part of the ownership group when Chicagowas granted its second Arena Football League franchise June 28, 1999.Illness limited his involvement in the creation of the Chicago Rush,the city's newest sports team, which made its Allstate Arena debutSaturday with a 41-38 victory against the Carolina Cobras to improveto 1-1.

As Payton's illness became critical, the operation duties fell onmanaging partner Alan Levin and partners Peter Levin and ArthurPrice. They were pleased with the opening-night festivities, whichlured an enthusiastic 10,732 to a building prominent in the historyof the …