Chicago sports radio host Laurence Holmes blasted the Bears for bringing in a pastor to say a prayer at a news conference announcing plans for a new stadium in the city.
On Wednesday, the Bears revealed plans for a new multibillion-dollar venue on Chicago’s lakefront, just south of Soldier Field.
Present at the press conference was Rev. Dr. Charlie E. Dates, who led a prayer for the plans to be consummated.
“We thank you for all the people who will benefit from the Bears’ stay in Chicago,” the reverend said in a message to God.
“I don’t know if you’ve played football, but I’m asking you to help us – help us win games, help us win a Super Bowl here, help us play in a Super Bowl and bring back the 1985 Super Bowl. roaring and enthusiastic fans we had for your glory and for our good.
He spoke with a twinkle in his eye, and news conference attendees laughed out loud as the local Fox affiliate’s camera panned to Bears Chairman Kevin Warren and Chairman George McCaskey, joining their hands in a prayerful motion.
Not everyone found this amusing.
Speaking on 670 the Score, Holmes spoke about the franchise and the church leader.
“The neighborhood where his church resides is the neighborhood I grew up in. There are a lot of people here. that neighborhood and around Chicago who need prayer,” Holmes said.
“You have chosen to ask God’s grace for a stadium. You should be ashamed, pastor, and your congregation should also be ashamed for following you.
Holmes went on to tell the pastor to “repent” and assert that this constituted an abdication of Scripture’s duties to bring grace to the “poor and oppressed.”
“You’re using the word of God to try to steal from the flock of billionaires,” Holmes said, referring to the portion of the stadium projects that would be publicly funded.
The Bears paid nearly $200 million to buy land in suburban Arlington Heights last year and in the process demolished a popular racetrack.
Still, there has been a battle over property taxes in the suburbs, and Warren said Wednesday that her “goal” now is to build a new stadium in Chicago.
The plan was supported by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who also spoke at the press conference.
However, the idea was met with skepticism by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, so it remains unclear whether the new plans will ever come to fruition.
New York Post
