Soldier Field has been the long-time home of the Chicago Bears, and over the years, many NFL legends have come and gone through the halls of the historic stadium. Players and coaches, such as Walter Payton and Mike Ditka, have made their names on the well-kept grass of Solider Field.
Hard-fought divisional battles, playoff games, and roads to Super Bowl glory have been paved at the hallowed grounds in Illinois. With such a rich history and mystique surrounding the stadium, one may wonder how it came to be and how it got its name. Let’s take a closer look at Soldier Field.
Why Is the Chicago Bears Home Stadium Called Soldier Field?
The Stadium was first designed in 1919, and its doors officially opened on October 9, 1924, as Municipal Grant Park Stadium. The name was then changed to Soldier Field on November 11, 1925, as a memorial to U.S. soldiers who had died in combat. A true ode to America’s bravest is how the stadium got its name, and it continues to be called as such to this day.
Is Solider Field on Its Way Out?
While the 100th season in the stadium is upon us next year, could the Bears’ time at Solider Field be running out? Perhaps, as the organization has looked into possibly building a new stadium sometime in the near future. The feeling is that the Bears may not be committed to the agreed-upon lease with the venue that runs through 2033.
The Bears pay $6.48 million annually to use Soldier Field and can terminate that agreement early as long as the team pays a penalty.
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What the future holds for Soldier Field and where the Chicago Bears will call home on Sundays is up in the air right now. But with such a historic venue being the Bears’ home, one may think the best course of action may be to just enjoy what they have in front of them and make the most of the Windy City stadium while it’s still in use.
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