The Chicago Bears Almost Had a 2020 Home Game in Canton
No team is tied to the history of the NFL quite like the Chicago Bears. They truly are one of the founding franchises. A beacon of light that guided the way through the early eras in the 1920, ’30s, and ’40s when the game was young and not overly popular yet. Few places understand this connection better than the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
No organization has more members. It seems the top executives in Canton wanted to make the 100th anniversary of the league a memorable one. According to Peter King of NBC Sports, they were pushing hard to have a regular season game played on their own field next year. One that would involve the Bears and one of their scheduled opponents.
Probably another historically-rich franchise. In the end, it doesn’t appear to be happening.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame was pushing hard for a regular-season game in Canton on Sept. 17, 2020—a Thursday night. The Hall wanted the Bears, one of the two remaining franchises from the 14-team league that was invented in 1920 in Canton, to play on the 100th anniversary day, Sept. 17, of the formation of the league. (The Decatur Staleys, with player-coach George Halas, became the Chicago Bears by 1922.) I’m told it’s not happening.”
Chicago Bears unwilling to give up a home game
While it’s not confirmed, the belief is the Bears weren’t willing to give up a home game. Not for the sake of sentimentality or the loss of revenue. Canton only seats 25,000 people. There is no question the historical aspects of the idea are tremendous and it would’ve been a ton of fun. However, business ended up getting in the way as it too often does.
Maybe things can change over the coming months, but given how resistant the Bears have been to playing any of their home games in London (this year is a road game), it was never going to happen even if it’s closer to home this time. So unless Canton can change their pitch to one of the Bears’ 2020 opponents and convince them to surrender a home game, it won’t happen.