Less than 48 hours from reinvigorating their franchise by drafting quarterback Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears prayed for a new stadium before asking for public funding. And the untimely PR decision was quickly called out by Chicago sports radio host Laurence Holmes.
Wednesday afternoon, the Bears held a press conference revealing plans for a new $4.6 billion stadium on the Chicago lakefront, requesting $2.3 billion in public funds. During the press conference, the Bears welcomed Rev. Dr. Charlie E. Dates to the podium where he prayed for the franchise and their stadium plans.
Let us pray. pic.twitter.com/LWEEecWOHE
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𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤 ✶ (@_MarcusD3_) April 24, 2024
“We thank you for all of the people who will benefit from the Bears staying in Chicago. I don’t know that you play football, but I am asking you to help us,” the reverend asked God, garnering laughter from the press conference attendees. “Help us to win some games, help us to get a Super Bowl here, help us to play in the Super Bowl, and bring back the 1985 roaring, cheering fans we had for your glory and for our good.”
The curious decision was torched by 670 The Score midday host Laurence Holmes, who was “offended” by the Bears and the pastor’s misdirected use of prayer.
.@LaurenceWHolmes was upset by the Bears having a pastor speak at their press conference.
“You chose to ask for God’s grace for a stadium. You should be ashamed.
“You are using the word of God to try and fleece the flock for billionaires.”
Listen: https://t.co/O589qgtj5R pic.twitter.com/bwkIQMtpsR
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) April 24, 2024
“The neighborhood where his church resides is the neighborhood I grew up in. There are plenty of people in that neighborhood and around Chicago that need prayer,” Holmes said. “You chose to ask for God’s grace, today, for a stadium. You should be ashamed, Pastor. And your congregation should be ashamed, too, that they follow you.”
“I’m offended as a citizen of Chicago,” Holmes continued. “I am offended for people who try to serve and worship a God that you’re hoping shares his grace on the poor and the downtrodden. If we’re going strictly from scripture on this, that is not where you need to be today, Pastor. You don’t need to be with the billionaires who are trying to take from the people of Chicago!”
“I am so tired of people using God to put their hands in someone’s pocket. This is the worst possible example of this,” Holmes continued. “You are using the word of God to try and fleece the flock for billionaires!”
The Bears are seeking to receive half the estimated price tag for the proposed stadium in public funding to cover development cost. This request comes while Chicago still owes more than $600 million for the 2003 renovation of Soldier Field, the stadium the Bears are now looking to replace. The Bears also paid nearly $200 million to purchase land for a stadium in Arlington Heights more than a year ago, which is located about 30 miles northwest of the city. Despite the $200 million investment, a battle over property taxes in Arlington Heights caused the Bears to now set their sights on building a new stadium in Chicago.
Needless to say, the Bears latest stadium pitch has been met with plenty of skepticism and opposition and their misdirected use of prayer didn’t appear to help. Perhaps more curious than the decision to pray for a new stadium, was the timing of the Bears decision to hold a press conference revealing their expectedly controversial stadium plans.
This press conference could have been held any other week. Instead, the Bears held it at a time where the city and fanbase should be unanimously excited about the team as they prepare to select a potentially franchise-altering quarterback in Caleb Williams Thursday night.