Bears legends Walter Payton, George Halas getting Soldier Field statues

David Stephenson Former Bears running back Walter Payton jokes with a friend on the sideline in 1995.Two Bears icons — running back Walter Payton and founder George Halas — are getting their own statues outside Soldier Field.

The team said Wednesday that the statues will be unveiled outside Gate O on Sept. 3. Each will stand 12 feet and weigh 3,000 pounds.

They were made by Fisher Sculpture; they were placed by the stadium architecture company Populous.

“It is only appropriate that the father of professional football and the greatest player in the history of the game are being honored in this way,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said. “And perhaps no better time for the unveiling than as we…