Heavy rain floods Soldier Field during Chicago Bears' season opener against San Francisco 49ers
Heavy rain flooded the area and drenched the new Bermuda grass installed this week. Flash Flood Warnings were issued for the start of the noon game.
Chicago Bears slip-and-slide into end zone at Soldier Field
The Chicago Bears turned Soldier Field into a slip-and-slide on Sunday as the field was so waterlogged after heavy rain.
Excessive rain was no match for the new grass at Soldier Field Sunday when the Chicago Bears took on the San Francisco 49ers.
Flash Flood Warnings were issued for the start of the noon game.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 11: A general view of the field prior to the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 11, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
At one point before the game, radar estimated 3-5" rain at one point before the start of the game.
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The National Weather Service warned that heavy downpours could lead to ponding on roads and possibly some localized flooding, but players and fans weren't expecting the flooding to happen on the field. The new Bermuda grass was installed ahead of the Bears' season opener against the 49ers.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a rushing touchdown by running back Khalil Herbert #24 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on September 11, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Grounds crews at Soldier Field were forced to push the water off the field with a squeegee throughout the game.
And even though the excessive rain was no match for the Bears' new turf, the puddles made for the perfect slip-n-slide for Chicago to celebrate their win over San Francisco.
Why was new grass installed at Soldier Field?
The sod is expected to be more resilient than the Kentucky bluegrass they've had for over 30 years.
Soldier Field's grass has been an ongoing problem for years, receiving multiple complaints from players and coaches.
Carolina Green Corp., based in Indian Trail, North Carolina, provided the Bermuda grass to the Bears and says it has a strong root mass to provide a strong footing surface.
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The particular strain of Bermuda grass that is being used at Soldier Field, Tahoma 31, was developed at Oklahoma State, has great cold weather tolerance, along with quick recovery characteristics, and has become a favorite for their northern sites.
Bears quarterback Justin Fields holds off 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley on a scramble in the first quarter on Sept. 11, 2022. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
The specialty Bermuda sod is grown on what they call GameOnGrass (GOG).
"GOG is a sand-based sod grown on plastic, which creates an intense root mass and unparalleled durability," said Chad Price, owner of Carolina Green Corp.
The combination of the thickness and weight, and the intense root system from plastic grown, allow GOG to be laid and played on immediately.
"It is by no means ordinary sod that needs to root in and become established prior to play," Price explained.
GOG is currently on four other NFL surfaces: Baltimore, Washington, Kansas City, and Tennessee.
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: A general view of Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears logo and the 50 yard line is seen prior to game action in a preseason NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears on August 25, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago IL.
(Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Price said they have been growing GOG for 14 years and are one of a handful of companies that grow this type of product in the country. He said it is routine practice to install GOG hours/days before play and do replacements in-season.
"The real key is growing it on plastic, so the root mass becomes intertwined intensely, and 100% of the root mass comes to the stadium. It really is a flooring system, not typical ‘sod.’"
What happens when it snows?
Price mentioned that the Bermuda grass would go dormant in the winter, but the root mass is still there to provide a strong footing. They overseed the Bermuda grass in the fall with perennial ryegrass to provide the green color that everyone likes.
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Price said that these stadiums, like Soldier Field, have an in-ground heating system to keep the root zone from freezing and to keep the grass active. He also mentioned they use field covers between games sometimes to hold heat in and to keep the grass growing.
What about the plans for a new stadium?
Meanwhile, the Bears released renderings earlier this week of a new entertainment district and enclosed stadium, should the team move to suburban Arlington Heights in the coming years.
"In September 2021, the Chicago Bears signed an agreement for the purpose of acquiring 326 acres of property in Arlington Heights to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter there," the Bears said in an open letter. "We envision a multi-purpose entertainment district anchored by a new, best-in-class enclosed stadium, providing Chicagoland with a new home worthy of hosting global events such as the Super Bowl, College Football Playoffs, and Final Four."
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 04: A general view of kick-off as the Chicago Bears take on the Indianapolis Colts at Soldier Field on October 04, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images / Getty Images)
If the organization moves forward with purchasing Arlington Park, it would build its new stadium just east of Illinois Route 53 and south of Northwest Highway.
The Bears are also looking to develop an entertainment district on the site – potentially boasting restaurants, a hotel, retail spaces and parks.
In the meantime, we'll wait and see if this new turf will translate to winning ways for the Bears at home this season.