In Chicago, Satchel Price notes the Bears this season, as part of their 100th anniversary celebration, will use each of their home games to "honor a different decade" from the franchise’s history, starting with the preseason opener against the Panthers honoring the 1920s. There will "not be a firm chronological order used for the series of celebrations." The team will "skip from the 20s to the 50s to the 80s over the first three weeks, continuing a pattern of bouncing around the last century until the 2010s are honored" during the Week 16 matchup against the Chiefs. In addition to the game-day celebrations, the Bears "will also donate $100,000 each week to a different charity," totaling $1M (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/2),
GIVING BACK: In K.C., Blair Kerkhoff notes the Chiefs this season will "introduce the Lamar Hunt Legacy seat at Arrowhead Stadium for home games." The team said it "will honor a member of the community that represents the spirit of Lamar, who was a fan of the game first and foremost." Fans are asked to "nominate a member of the community." Recipients will "receive a VIP pregame experience and be recognized during the game" (K.C. STAR, 7/2).
TAKE TWO: In New Orleans, Rod Walker noted Saints and Pelicans Owner Gayle Benson, since taking over sole ownership from her late husband last year, has "added a more personal, hands-on approach in running her sports franchises." As the Saints enter this season as "one of the favorites to get to the Super Bowl," Benson has "made sure that the Pelicans are no longer looked at as an afterthought." The Pelicans "won't ever replace the Saints as the most beloved team in the city," but Benson "hasn't been frugal, pouring money into that franchise while restructuring the organizational chart" (NOLA.com, 6/30).
