I recently heard this in the news, but upon doing some research, it’s been in the works awhile: twelve months after Soldier Field re-opened with it’s new, UFO-like outside appearance, a ten member advisory committee voted to strip Soldier Field of it’s status as a national historic landmark.

If you look at the history of Soldier Field, you’ll see it was modeled a bit after greek architecture, reminiscent of the Parthenon. And then to be designated as “Soldier Field”, commemorating all of those brave neighbors of yours and mine who fought in all of our nation’s battles, it was well on it’s way to being among the pantheon of sportsdom.

Soldier FieldBut then the magic mushroom-influenced team at Wood+Zapata (the architects of the renovation) got hold of that venerable field and were all “Dude, wouldn’t it be awesome if there was like a giant UFO on top of the field? It’d be hella loco, dude. Just like our company’s name. Is that like “wood shoes” in Spanish or something?”

Shortly after re-opening, cloaked clerics came out from their parent’s basements and the few of Marshall Applewhite’s Heaven’s Gate crew who forgot to drink the Kool-aid showed up at the new stadium to worship. It became apparent to Chicagoans that their historical stadium had been turned into something aweful.

Which brings us to today, where we find Soldier Field stripped of it’s membership in any and all historical site lists and groups, but included in most every football stadium punchline. I’m pissed off that this great old stadium that pays tribute to US soldiers has been turned into a steel and glass freak. Our soldiers deserve better.

I also feel for the fans of Chicago sports, and of the Bears in particular. The home of your storied franchise is a building you must now avert your eyes from, for fear of re-opening that wound of embarrassment committed against you by Wood+Zapata, every time you go to a game.

It’s a crime against all that’s good about football. To show my support, I’ve put together a little audio clip to show you Bear fans how most of us football fans to the north feel about what’s happened to your stadium and how it affects your pride in your city and your team.

Click here to listen to my heartfelt audio tribute.

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