To honor the Chicago Bears’ 100th season, two legends will welcome fans into Soldier Field on September 3.
The team is unveiling statues of Walter Payton and George Halas near Gate 0 of the stadium, two days before the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
“It is only appropriate that the father of professional football and the greatest player in the history of the game are being honored in this way, and perhaps no better time for the unveiling than as we kick off our centennial season,” Bears chairman George H. McCaskey said in a statement. “Thank you to the Chicago Park District, Soldier Field and SMG for their support throughout the process, and to sculptor Chad Fisher for his artistry in bringing his subjects to life.”
The team says the bronze statues stand 12 feet tall and weigh 3,000 pounds. They previously installed a smaller George Halas statue at Halas Hall back in 2015.
The two Hall of Famers will stand guard outside of the stadium gates and remind fans of the organization’s history every time they step foot on Soldier Field grounds.
