With negotiations between the Chicago Bears and the city Park District at a seeming impasse, the NFL team and the University of Notre Dame discussed — 40 years ago this week — bringing the Bears to South Bend.
The friction between the Chicago Park District, which controlled Soldier Field, and their tenants had existed since the Bears first occupied the stadium in 1971. The professional team had worn out its welcome at Wrigley Field, and were blocked from using Dyche Stadium, home of the Northwestern Wildcats, for its home games.
George Halas Sr.