The Chicago Bears’ stadium saga has been the biggest off-field storyline of the offseason, and with no clear end in sight, former players are voicing their frustration.
Most recently, the Bears’ Board of Governors voted to move forward with pursuing a stadium in Hammond, Indiana, a move that would take the Bears out of Chicago, where they’ve called home since 1971, and even further, take them out of Illinois, which they’ve called home for over 100 years.
With many legendary players throughout the franchise’s history, there are some who feel quite strongly about the Bears’ future stadium plans, including linebacker Brian Urlacher. Recently, Urlacher discussed the ongoing saga with his former team and directed his frustration and political leaders in Illinois, citing their lack of care about keeping the team in the state of Illinois.
“I just don’t see how as a state legislator, governor, city mayor, how you can let this team leave the state of Illinois or even be a topic of discussion,” Urlacher said, via FOX’s Jackson Thompson. “You do what you have to do to keep the Bears here, we have the best fans in the world, I’d do what I have to do to keep them in the state of Illinois. They had Arlington Heights planned out, find a way to keep them there, (politicians) just don’t care.”
The conversation from there would get deeply political during Urlacher’s appearance, but it’s clear that he, like many others, are extremely frustrated with Illinois politicians and how they’ve mismanaged the Bears stadium saga. While there is no concrete resolution on the future home for the Bears, when legends such as Urlacher are expressing clear frustration, it’s a disappointing feeling for the fanbase who just want the saga to come to an end.
Not all hope has been lost for the Bears to focus their efforts on building a stadium in Arlington Heights, but all momentum has shifted to Hammond, a disappointing development for the city of Chicago and some former players like Urlacher.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Brian Urlacher unloads on Bears stadium saga
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
