It’s been a very tragic autumn for Chicago Sports and the people who cover them. The second city must now deal with the third highly-publicized death of an individual connected to the local sports scene.
Anita Kustok, mother CSN Chicago reporter Sarah Kustok, and former Northwestern QB Zak Kustok was murdered in late September. A couple days before Halloween, Notre Dame student videographer Declan Sullivan was killed when his hydraulic scissor-lift collapsed in historically high winds. The circumstances surrounding both of those deaths are still being investigated.
And then today, during the Chicago Bears-Philadelphia Eagles, a man in his 20s died from falling out of Soldier Field and landing on a roof-top.
By Paul M. Banks
According to Chicago Breaking News:
Stewart Haverty, 23, was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 5:24 p.m. Chicago Fire Department Chief Joe Roccasalva said the victim fell about 20 feet and landed on a small rooftop on the west side of the stadium near Lake Shore Drive. He was taken in critical condition to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, officials said.
Witnesses told emergency personnel that they saw the man run up to a ledge and jump.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday.
So was it a suicide? Was the late Mr. Haverty running in fear of his life? Under duress/influence of a controlled substance? I guess will find out later this week. We do know that no one else was hurt.
As someone who is close to the programs involved in all three of the Chicago sports tragedies transpiring this autumn, this is has been a somewhat difficult time. I really look forward to having the chance to write some feel-good stories again. And hopefully soon.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest webzine. He’s also a regular contributor to the Tribune’s Chicago Now network, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports.com
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank
He also does a regular guest spot each week for Chicagoland Sports Radio.com