Like a group of friends gathered around a campfire sharing stories of their days spent together, the Chicago Fire's "Ring of Fire" Hall of Fame resembles old buddies reunited for eternity-their jersey numbers hung side-by-side in TOYOTA PARK. The Ring of Fire inductees are all former members of the Chicago Fire who displayed qualities of leadership, dedication, and integrity while leading the club towards being a successful organization. Former Fire captain Peter Nowak, forward Frank Klopas, defender Lubos Kubik, and former Fire president Peter Wilt are the four members already inducted into this annual tribute.
Wilt created the Fire's personal hall of fame in 2003, choosing Nowak. A year later, Nowak's lone vote placed Chicago native and former Fire forward Frank Klopas in the "Ring." Then, Nowak and Klopas bestowed the honor on former Fire defender Lubos Kubik in 2005. Nowak and Klopas were not only leaders on the field but off as well, volunteering to join the FireWorks For Kids Foundation and dedicate countless hours to disadvantaged children in Chicagoland. All three players can also be credited with establishing the Fire organization in the long run, serving as role models for Fire mainstays Chris Armas, C.J. Brown, and Jesse Marsch as well as many other young Fire players. In 2006, the tribute came full circle as the three former players inducted Wilt. Those four members have now placed Bob Bradley's name and jersey-style banner beside theirs at the east end of TOYOTA PARK.
"Peter Wilt, I think, established in the Fire organization a certain mentality of doing things the right way," Bradey said of the quality of "Ring of Fire" members. "What that translated to on the field was of a group of players that were proud to play for the Fire and represent the club and had a connection with the fans. All of us appreciated being part of the Fire and so many players that had that opportunity still talk about how special it was to play in front of the great fans and wear those colors. I think that's always been the part that has made the Fire special."
Bradley joins the campfire storytelling in 2007 as he is inducted into the "Ring of Fire" during a pre-game ceremony at 6 p.m. CT before the Fire battle the Columbus Crew on August 4th at 7:30 p.m CT.
"One of the things that I think came out that group is that all of us felt that we shared great experiences," said Bradley. "Whenever we see each other, we like to catch up, see how everybody's doing, and we certainly all enjoy a good laugh about some of stories that took place during those days and there is a good feeling about that time we all spent together."
One of those stories, and perhaps Bradley's first that he'll tell at the "Ring of Fire" campsite could be reminiscing with his fellow inductees about the teams' 1998 season when they pulled the "Double," winning both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in their expansion season.
"Well for sure the memory of the first season winning the 'Double' (is my best memory of the club)," said Bradley. "Especially the fact that the Open Cup, which was the second part of the 'Double,' was played at Soldier Field. We had a great crowd after our MLS Cup victory and that (Open Cup) game ended with a golden goal by Frankie Klopas, that goal and the way our fans reacted touched off a very special year."
The camaraderie surrounding the "Ring of Fire," Major League Soccer's first team-specific Hall of Fame, can only be imagined but the uniqueness of the voting structure to enter the "Ring" lends one's imagination to drift towards reality. The only way to join the prestigious group is to be voted in-by the members of the "Ring of Fire."
"From the beginning there was always a good sense about the entire organization," said Bradley. "I think Peter Wilt established that and I know that it was nice for me to be part of that from the beginning. This is an example of the fact that the Fire is a special organization and I know that going forward part of the responsibility is to continue to add people that deserve to be of it (the "Ring of Fire") and I'm honored to be part of that group."
As the "Ring of Fire" grows so does the ring around the voting committee table. Who is next to be immortalized for all-time in Fire history by the club's hall of fame-another member from the spectacular 1998 club that won the "Double" or a younger member?
"I think for sure that Chris Armas is going to be part of the group," Bradley said. "He was always a special player. He has been with the Fire since the beginning and, as everyone knows, he has announced that this will be his final season in MLS. But Chris earned so much respect from all his teammates and from the fans that I'm sure that we will see him in the future."
