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Writer's pictureJohn Popovich

Chicago Bears and Soldier Field: Is it time to say goodbye?

July 25th, 2022

 

The Chicago Bears are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. If you live in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, "Da Bears" hold a special place in your heart. From George Halas to Gale Sayers to Dick Butkus to Walter Payton to Brian Urlacher and so many more, the Bears history and tradition is so rich. With that tradition comes their home turf Soldier Field. So many iconic moments have happened at Soldier Field in the last 51 years, there's too many to list. 51 years.....thats a long time for any stadium, let alone one that can seat 61,500 fans. It just begs the question, Is it time for the Bears to say goodbye to Soldier Field? Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveiled plans on Monday for a dome to be put over Soldier Field but is that enough? Let's dig in!


Below is a brief history of Soldier Field as described on the Chicago Park District website:


Originally opened in 1924, Soldier Field was known as one of the great venues during the “Golden Age of Sports” and one of Chicago’s most famous landmarks. Crowds in excess of 100,000 were commonplace, marked by several memorable events including the 1926 Army-Navy game and the epic 1927 Jack Dempsey/Gene Tunney heavyweight rematch featuring the controversial long count. In 1944, 150,000 spectators attended a wartime visit by President Franklin Roosevelt and thousands turned out to hear evangelist Billy Graham in 1962. Soldier Field is also the birthplace of the first Special Olympics Game in 1968. Rock concerts, festivals, rodeos, circuses and even a skiing/toboggan event have called Soldier Field home. The Chicago Bears began using the facility in 1971 and played their first game on the renovated Soldier Field on September 29, 2003.


The Bears moved to Soldier Field in 1971 after outgrowing Wrigley Field, the team's home for 50 years. Then in 2001 the Chicago Park District, which owns the structure, announced plans to alter the stadium and give it a makeover. This did not sit well with a lot of people including fans and radio hosts. The makeover was heavily criticized and the end result made the stadium look like a spaceship surrounding the original front structure of the stadium.











Soldier Field view before renovation Soldier Field view after renovation



The Bears played their first game in the newly renovated Soldier Field on September 29th, 2003 in which they where defeated by the Green Bay Packers (how fitting lol). Since then the stadium is still the same and really needs another update in my opinion. The bowels of the stadium are just not suited for that many people. Getting in and out of the stadium before and after an event creates bottlenecks everywhere. It's not easy getting to the stadium unless you arrive hours early to tailgate. Really the only easy way to get there is to walk. I guess the same can be said about many other stadiums, including Wrigley Field, which I think also needs to be gone- that's a debate for another time. But it may be time for the Chicago Bears to move on.


I know....I know, its hard to let go of the history and tradition. Believe me, I'm a big believer in history and tradition with any team in any sport at any level. It's a big reason why we love sports. Sports is passed down through generations and we can't help it when we fall in love with our teams. How can you not be romantic about sports? A big part of our teams is the Stadium or Arena they play in. I can go on and on about the big moments that happened at a certain stadium and Soldier Field is one of the many! As Bears fans especially, we hang on to those moments and pass them down. The 85' Bears. The greatest football team of all time. That season was so special and on the turf at Soldier Field when they won the NFC championship against the Rams and it started snowing!!!! What a moment!!!! I was just a baby when it happened but when I watch the replay of that game it gives me goosebumps. I couldn't imagine watching it live or being there in person. How cool if you were watching live! Same thing happened in 2006 when the Bears beat the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC Championship at Soldier Field. That I do remember watching live on TV and how awesome it was. I remember Ditka walking up and down the sidelines screaming. I remember when the Packers and Favre would come into town and put a beatdown on the Bears, Brian Urlacher's rookie season, Mike Browns pick six against the 49ers in OT in 2001 and then the next week he did it again against the Browns, pick six in OT for the win. So many great memories.

Now back to present times and the question still remains. Do the Bears need to leave Soldier Field? Short answer is yes, unfortunately, but a new stadium is a good thing. Look at all of the new football stadiums that have been built in the last ten years. State of the Art and easily accessible. And most importantly just fit in with todays world.


The Bears signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse last fall, which won’t close until later this year at the earliest. Though it is not a done deal, the Bears’ interest in Arlington Heights sparked a rigorous debate over whether Chicago should attempt to keep the team and at what cost. One advantage for the Bears of moving to Arlington Heights is they would be able to develop the 326-acre property around the stadium with shopping, dining and entertainment, an option the team would not have at Soldier Field. Now although Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveiled plans for a new renovation to Soldier Field that would cover it with a dome, the better option for the Bears themselves would be to have their own property and stadium. Lightfoot's plans consist of three options.


The first option would fully enclose the stadium by rebuilding both end zones with columns that can support a dome structure.

The second option would require both end zones to be rebuilt with columns to make the stadium dome-ready.

The third option calls for modifications to make Soldier Field a multipurpose stadium suited to host soccer games while also making it a viable location to accommodate major concerts and a range of events.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed three proposals on Monday for renovations to Soldier Field, including the construction of a dome, which is pictured in this artist's rendering. Landmark Chicago Interests


I will say that the picture above looks really cool. I like the opening on the side so you can see the Chicago City Skyline in the background. The Proposal also would expand seating from 61,500 to 70,000, increase the number of suites from 133 to 140 and quadruple the food and beverage space from 50,000 square feet to 200,000 square feet.


So, 8,500 more seating capacity and 7 more suites plus a bigger food and beverage space, which they really do need, and a dome to cover? It's a good idea if you're the mayor and want to make "Soldier Field a year-round destination" and I think the third option would suite her and the city best. But if you're the Chicago Bears you can do the same thing and own the property and stadium with way more than 70,000 seating capacity and a retractible roof with way more suites and easy access to food and beverage and parking. The only difference is that it's not in the City. And for some that is a hard pill to swallow. I think it sucks that they would not be in Chicago anymore and it would be weird for a while but a brand new state of the art stadium is really exciting and would be a go to place not just for Bears games but for many events.


The Bears showed no interest in the City's proposal announcement. The only thing they did was re-release a statement they initially put out earlier this month.


“The only potential project the Chicago Bears are exploring for a new stadium development is Arlington Park. As part of our mutual agreement with the seller of that property, we are not pursuing alternative stadium deals or sites, including renovations to Soldier Field, while we are under contract,” the Bears said. “We have informed the City of Chicago that we intend to honor our contractual commitments as we continue our due diligence and predevelopment activities on the Arlington Heights property."


So now that the city came forth with their plans for Soldier Field and the Bears remain steadfast with their plans in Arlington Heights, the question still remains. Is it time for the Bears to say goodbye to Soldier Field. Please answer the poll question at the bottom and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!


What should the Bears do?

  • 0%Stay at Soldier Field and go with the City's proposed plan?

  • 0%Leave Soldier Field, build new stadium in Arlington Heights?


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