Chicago Bears celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with special event at Solorio Academy HS

CHICAGO - With Hispanic Heritage Month in full swing, the Chicago Bears will recognize the city's rich Latino culture during Sunday’s "Latino Heritage Month Game" at Soldier Field.

In anticipation of the game, the organization teamed up with Solorio Academy High School in Gage Park to celebrate Latino student-athletes.

For the second time, the Chicago Bears hosted a "High School Latino Heritage Game"—giving students an NFL gameday experience on their home turf.

This season, Solorio Academy High School was selected by the Bears for the honor. Last year, the organization launched the event in Round Lake and plans to continue the tradition at a different school each fall. 

On the field Friday night, a blend of athletics and culture was on full display.

"We modeled it after the NFL’s Latino Heritage Game," said Gustavo Silva, manager of the Chicago Bears Youth & High School Football.

The Solorio Academy Sun Warriors hosted the Washington High School Patriots for two games: Girls' Flag Football and Boys' Varsity Football.

"We want kids to be able to take something that’s very important to them, their culture and their heritage, and combine that with something that they love to do, which is football, and bring those two worlds together, so it really means a lot to us," said Silva.

With performances by the Bears Drumline and Little Village’s own Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance company, the evening was impactful to students, parents, and faculty.  

"The fact that it's Latino Heritage Month and having our school selected means a lot because we are 97% Latino and our students have worked really hard," said Victor Iturralde, principal of Solorio Academy High School.

Principal Iturralde says the Bears have also helped the school expand its athletic program.

"It's been awesome to see what the Bears have done over the last few years. Seeing this girls’ flag football program from inception -- to see the improvement and the skill level that we have today is so impressive. It's really awesome," said Iturralde.

Solorio Senior Evelyn Diaz-Martinez, who started playing flag football this year, was chosen as the Player of the Game – leaving with a game ball. 

"I really like connecting with my players and fellow teammates," said Diaz-Martinez. "It’s amazing every single day."

Along with Staley the Bear, former Chicago Bears center Roberto Garza was there to meet with young fans. It’s an experience he recalls cherishing when he was in high school and met a professional athlete for the first time.

"It’s pretty cool to be on the other end of that and be here in my old Bears jersey—having some fun with that," said Garza. "Any time I get a chance to come out and share that passion the Chicago Bears have for the Latino community, it’s a lot of fun."

The event highlighted both the spirit of football and the community.

"And that’s what’s important right? They’re giving the kids a chance to get out there and compete and have fun, winning and losing and being part of a team," said Garza.

Both Solorio's girls’ and boys’ teams left with a ‘W’ on Friday night.

Looking to Sunday’s Latino Heritage Month Game, fans received a preview of the festivities on FOX 32's Orange Friday.

Traditional Latin music will fill Soldier Field when the Bears take on the Los Angeles Rams. Fans can also expect unique game-day performances, including Ballet Folklorico de Chicago, the city’s largest Mexican folkloric dance organization.

Attendees can look forward to a mariachi performance during halftime and Hispanic Heritage-themed Bears helmets on the field.

Kickoff is at noon on Sunday and you can watch the game on FOX 32 Chicago—the Home of the Bears.