Bad pants raise money for charity

Dennis McKinnon promised to "add some flare" to today's Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort Bad Pants Open - and he delivered.

Sitting in a golf cart, dressed in a white T-shirt, red sleeveless sweater and white and blue plaid golf knickers with knee-high socks, the former Chicago Bears wide receiver scoped out the pants, or lack thereof, on the competition.

"Did you see that guy out here wearing the kilt? That's crazy," McKinnon said. "There is no shame in your game when you're a grown man and you show up to play golf in a kilt."

While several of the 150 golfers ignored the bad pants theme, others went out of their way to display the article of clothing their wives would most like to throw out.

Nathan Kleine of Carol Stream sported a very clingy pair of bright orange pants that he admitted he was ashamed to find still in his closet.

"You know, they might not fit like they used to, but that just adds to ugliness, right?" he said. "And the orange goes with the Bears theme of the day."

Several former Chicago Bears, including Otis Wilson, Dave Duerson and Glen Kozlowski, played in today's charity open, which raised more than $25,000 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

McKinnon said he wanted to sponsor the event and help the charity he worked with the most during his playing days.

"We're having fun today, but we're also helping all the little kids afflicted with muscular dystrophy that may never get to play golf," he said. "Everyone out here is making a difference."

Golfers bid to play with celebrities at the outing. Bidding started last month at a tax-deductible $500. Those who didn't win a chance to play with a celebrity still paid the $250 entry fee.

Noticeably ignoring the bad pants theme was former Bears defensive tackle Steve "Mongo" McMichael, who blamed his wife for his smart blue and white plaid shorts and matching white shirt.

"She said I had to look presentable and be coordinated," McMichael said. "If it were up to me, I would have worn my old orange and blue thunderbolt Zubaz, cuz, man, those were ugly.

"I'm glad I didn't though," he added. "It's too warm for those."