Soldier Field Tailgating Ban Fiasco
So, today it’s announced that the Bears in conjunction with the wishes of the NFL, will start cracking down on tailgating at Soldier Field during the games.
Obviously, I can’t support this.
Last I knew, the Chicago Bears, like all NFL franchises, are in the entertainment business. And one that truly benefits from a strong emotional attachment to the team. Well, what is tailgating but an expression of that? We go down there to be among other people who, like us, really love the Bears. And we have food and beverage, and meet new friends, and have a great time cheering the good guys on.
It’s getting together to support a common cause. To see our guys beat their guys. To see good triumph over evil, in a way.
This is such a slap in the face to the mythology of the Bears fan. Tailgating (or if you don’t ever actually make that trip, the notion of tailgating) is part of who we are. It’s friends and food and fun that goes on all season long. It’s like getting together to have a celebration with our family of Bears fans. It’s a family business.
So, I’m hoping the Bears are wise enough to take this NFL edict and not actually enforce it. Sure, send out the press release. But don’t enforce it. Because you recognize that, long-term, it’s bad for business.
CHILI DAN
