MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire FC to Raise Awareness of Plastic Pollution by Wearing PRIMEBLUE Kits on May 29 at Soldier Field

Published on May 25, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO - Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club will debut the adidas PRIMEBLUE kits on Saturday, May 29 as the team hosts CF Montréal at Soldier Field at 12:00 p.m. CT (WGN-TV, CFFC Live, Latino Mix 93.5 FM).

PRIMEBLUE is a high-performance yarn made with 50% Parley Ocean Plastic - upcycled waste intercepted on shorelines and coastal areas, preventing it from polluting our oceans. MLS and adidas PRIMEBLUE kits are one of the many ways the league raises awareness of environmental issues and helps to create sustainable communities as part of MLS WORKS' year-long Greener Goals initiative.

To launch the jersey, the Fire collaborated with Soldier Field neighbors, Shedd Aquarium. First-team players Elliot Collier, Chinonso Offor, Miguel Navarro and Carlos Terán received a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Shedd Aquarium and were introduced to an array of animals, including a sea lion named Biff. The 700-pound rescued sea lion became an immediate hit with the players as Biff showed off his soccer skills. Furthermore, the players learned how to maximize their impact within the Chicago community through various sustainability initiatives and how impactful the PRIMEBLUE jerseys are in raising awareness.

"I have always believed that it is our responsibility to preserve and protect our environment," said Fire midfielder Elliot Collier. "The opportunity we received to be at Shedd Aquarium and interact with these animals is something I'll never forget. Every single one of us needs to be more conscious about the impact we have on our environment. Education is a key component of knowing how to make a change and the partnership between the Fire and Shedd will allow us to share this with fans and have a greater influence here in Chicago."

On World Ocean's Day, June 8, Fire staff and select players will come together to take part in a beach clean-up at North Avenue Beach and Margaret T. Burroughs Beach (31st Street). In addition, the Fire will be partnering with the Shedd Aquarium for future events throughout the city of Chicago and continue to help spread awareness about the importance of combatting plastic pollution and how to change behaviors that will help our environment.

"Plastic pollution is a major threat, both to human health and to the wellbeing of aquatic animals," said Jaclyn Wegner, director of conservation action at Shedd Aquarium. "For context, about 11 million pounds of plastic trash pollutes Lake Michigan alone each year. That plastic that comes from sources like food packaging and grocery bags doesn't just disappear - it breaks down into smaller pieces that enter the food chain and endanger us all. Shedd Aquarium is happy to support the Chicago Fire in raising awareness around reducing our reliance on plastic and looking for innovative solutions to protect our blue planet."

Furthermore, an online auction of player-worn and autographed PRIMEBLUE jerseys from the entire first-team roster will be available to bid on with proceeds benefitting the Chicago Fire Foundation's P.L.A.Y.S. Program. Fans can text "JERSEY" to 76278 to bid beginning this Wednesday, May 26 at 10 a.m. CT.

Tickets to the Fire's May 29 match against CF Montréal are available here. A limited amount of PRIMEBLUE apparel made with Parlay Ocean Plastic is available now through MLSstore.com.

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