The poor playing surface at the Bears’ home stadium, Soldier Field, has been documented quite well. It’s no secret why the Bears want to build their own stadium in Chicago suburb Arlington Heights, even as the city tries to pressure them into staying in their current home digs.
In the past, there have been many egregious examples of why the city of Chicago and its Park District are no longer the ideal stewards for the stadium where a professional football team plays. (Even in the video game Madden!) But the appalling condition Soldier Field was left in for the Bears and Chiefs (-1) preseason game on Saturday might take the cake:
This is not photoshop. This is what the field actually looks like today. pic.twitter.com/NCtRAJxYWK
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) August 13, 2022
Oh my goodness. There’s no way that brown and yellow concoction masquerading as “grass” is safe for any athlete to run around on. I mean, that confetti on the field might be from an Elton John concert … that happened over a week ago! And no one cleaned it in the time since?
Suffice to say; I can see why the Bears will soon likely be saying goodbye to this yellow brick road known as Soldier Field. You can’t plant them in your “penthouse,” Chicago.
NFL fans couldn't believe the sorry state of Soldier Field for Bears-Chiefs
This is not worthy of an NFL game, even preseason. I'd have no issue if #Bears or #Chiefs refused to play on this garbage. Not worth the unreasonable risk of injury. https://t.co/22mhbUpsba
— Dan Bernstein (@dan_bernstein) August 13, 2022
I don't play a single starter if I'm any of those teams. https://t.co/VLUFJXDfH6
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 13, 2022
Turf Monsters of the Midway https://t.co/J9XuuvAYXn
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) August 13, 2022
The Bears need their own SodFather. This is atrocious and has been for years. #NFL https://t.co/Fhc12H6vpp
— David Ruiz (@WritingDavid) August 13, 2022
We already know the Bears season is over but at least operate like you care. https://t.co/swwwneBYux
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) August 13, 2022
Nobody show this picture to Gary Player https://t.co/oDl75re8bn
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) August 13, 2022
The city trying to pretend it wants the Bears to stay while hosting an Elton John concert that leaves the field like this for gameday is pretty hilarious https://t.co/S8ThGwE5KV
— Satchel Price (@SatchelPrice) August 13, 2022
Rough 🤮
Mahomes goes one drive, max ✌🏼 https://t.co/W27mK5FPSq
— Hayley Lewis 👑 (@HayleyLewisKSHB) August 13, 2022
I've seen non-turfed high school football fields that look better than Soldier Field. https://t.co/EFd371zmUy
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) August 13, 2022
The Bears apparently practice their iron shots on the field during off days https://t.co/FbtJf7QdXe
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) August 13, 2022
Reason No. 5623 to get your own stadium. https://t.co/LB5ubhDLH9
— Greg Boysen (@GregBoysen) August 13, 2022
Does it double as a @Topgolf? 😳 #ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/f5FuBsYBTk
— John Holt (@JohnHoltNews) August 13, 2022
This should be illegal @NFL @NFLPA https://t.co/VBMvoNISTs
— My Name is Jeff (@JeffAllen71) August 13, 2022
The Bears' whimsical summer continues! https://t.co/zWADeOMUAa
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 13, 2022
poles decided a good field wasn't worth the cap hit. this is actually good. https://t.co/7kHjgMurIM
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) August 13, 2022
My half a billion dollar QB doesn’t need to play on this field in a preseason game #chiefs #ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/9zCAxIbOVe
— Matt Scott (@KUTheShiver) August 13, 2022
If you’re wondering why #Bears ownership might want their own space…add this to the list. https://t.co/VVkw8aYicV
— Laurence Holmes (@LaurenceWHolmes) August 13, 2022
Not acceptable for the NFL https://t.co/h9D3yjaX6I
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 13, 2022
Game should be postponed. Player safety should he tantamount to everything. We know it’s a pipe dream but this isn’t safe https://t.co/NevN7G3q7b
— David Canter (@davidcanter) August 13, 2022