LOVES PARK, Ill. (WIFR) – The Chicago Bears franchise has called Illinois home for more than a century, but a recent vote shifts the team’s focus on a new stadium to Hammond, Indiana.
“We are Chicago Bears. Not Indiana Bears. Chicago Bears,” said Sakena Barnett.
“You’re the pride and joy of Illinois” are some of the lyrics thousands of fans sing when the Chicago Bears score. Soon, the Monsters of the Midway could be the pride of Hammond, Indiana, which some lifelong fans say isn’t a touchdown decision.
“I was so disappointed. I mean, what’s the reason, right?” asked Jason Barnett. “I thought it was a joke. When a couple of my friends called me, I’m like, ‘You can’t be serious, right?’ But they are. And it’s stupid to me.”
The Chicago Bears Board of Directors voted Thursday to move forward with the stadium project in Hammond, Indiana, instead of Arlington Heights, Illinois.
“It’s sad that no one could really work out a deal,” said Michael King. “I thought that Arlington Heights was a great location. I think the stadium of Chicago, you know, it’s long overdue for a renovation, or a new stadium needs to be put in place.”
Rockford is more than 90 miles from Soldier Field and almost 105 miles from the proposed space in Hammond.
“I think I’ll be watching it more on the TV because there’s traffic, gas prices,” said Sakena. “We are already going from Rockford to Chicago. Now they want to extend it to Hammond. That’s like kind of far.”
“Honestly, if I’m not already in that area, I probably won’t go,” said Jason.
“I don’t think I’m going to be able to go to as many games as I probably was once able to,” said King. “I had some friends who had season tickets. My sister lived downtown for a number of years, so I would go to maybe like five games a year.”
The Bears wouldn’t be the only team to not play in the city they’re named after. The San Francisco 49ers play in Santa Clara, California, and the New York Giants and Jets play in New Jersey.
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