Sports · American Football · 1 day ago
Bears’ move toward a domed stadium contrasts with Ditka’s views
The Chicago Bears are working toward leaving Soldier Field for a stadium with a roof.
The move contrasts with the late Mike Ditka’s strong opposition to indoor football.
In 1987, before a Bears game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Ditka said football belonged outdoors on grass.
He also joked that domes were better suited to roller skating, then skated through the team’s offices in rollerblades.
The Bears won that game 30-24, and Ditka later said his comments were meant to take pressure off the players.
His views matter now because the Bears are among several NFL teams moving toward roofed venues.
The team could build in Chicago, Arlington Heights or Hammond, Indiana, but the source does not say where or when a new stadium will be built.
The Bears are pursuing a move from Soldier Field to a venue with a roof, a plan that conflicts with Mike Ditka’s stated opposition to indoor domes.
In December 1987, Ditka said football should be played outdoors on grass.
That week, he wore rollerblades around the Bears’ offices before the team beat the Vikings 30-24 in a game at the Metrodome.
Ditka said his comments about the dome were intended to take pressure off his players.
The article says the Bears may build a domed venue in Chicago, Arlington Heights or Hammond, Indiana.
- Who
- The Chicago Bears and former coach Mike Ditka.
- What
- The Bears are pursuing a venue with a roof, while Ditka said he opposed indoor domes for football.
- When
- Ditka made his comments in December 1987. The article was published October 10, 2026.
- Where
- The Bears are seeking to leave Soldier Field; possible locations named are Chicago, Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana.
- Why
- Ditka said football should be played outside on grass. He said his dome comments were intended to take pressure off the players.
The Chicago Bears
Mike Ditka
Venue design
The Chicago Bears
The Bears intend to move to a venue with a roof.
Mike Ditka
Ditka said he did not like indoor domes for football.
Where football should be played
The Chicago Bears
The Bears are pursuing a roofed venue, with possible locations in Chicago, Arlington Heights or Hammond, Indiana.
Mike Ditka
Ditka said football was meant to be played outside and on grass.
They weren’t meant for football. Football is meant to play it outside and on grass.
I just don’t like indoor domes
To get the pressure off the players and get it on me.
Ditka criticized indoor domes as the Bears prepared to play at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
Ditka wore rollerblades through the Bears’ offices.
The Bears beat the Vikings 30-24 on a late touchdown pass from Mike Tomczak to Dennis Gentry.
Ditka said his dome comments had been intended to shift pressure from the players to him.
- Game score
- Bears 30, Vikings 24
- Game venue
- Metrodome, Minneapolis
- Touchdown pass
- Mike Tomczak to Dennis Gentry
- Possible dome locations
- Chicago, Arlington Heights or Hammond, Indiana
- Article publication date
- October 10, 2026
Sources
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