Men In Red Value Time Spent With Fire Legends

Patrick Nyarko has been around long enough to know the significance of moments like these.
That’s why Nyarko, the dean of the Chicago Fire roster and veteran of more than 200 games played in a Fire shirt, could be found Saturday night collecting autographs in the home locker room following a 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution.
“Personally, I was really humbled,” Nyarko said. “I actually got a shirt signed by every single one of them because I was really blessed to be in their presence. You talk about championships and leading a team to the top, that’s what those guys did and that’s what we’re trying to emulate.”

‘Those guys’ just happen to be five of the eight Chicago Fire legends to have gained enshrinement in the club’s Ring of Fire. Frank Klopas, Lubos Kubik, Peter Nowak and Peter Wilt, along with latest inductee Ante Razov, paid a postgame visit to the winning dressing room both to congratulate the Men In Red on an impressive three points and to build relationships with those striving to continue their legacy.
WATCH: Ante Razov Ring of Fire Induction
While the opportunity to connect the club’s early days to the current roster was enough for the likes of Nyarko and other veterans, the encounter carried additional significance for those who are now playing for the club they were raised to support.
“They came in and we got to get some feedback from them,” said Naperville native and Chicago Fire PDL product Michael Stephens. “I asked them questions. I was particularly interested in talking to Peter Nowak, somebody I watched when I was younger and a guy who I tried to take a lot of things for my game from. He was a hell of a player.”
Perhaps the straightest line to be drawn between the past and present was provided by defender Eric Gehrig, who tweeted a poignant photo after watching Razov’s halftime induction ceremony on Saturday. It showed a youthful, smiling Gehrig standing alongside the prolific Fire striker, and it was autographed by Razov himself.

"I showed him that picture and he loved it, and we took another picture together," Gehrig said. "I told him I'm not anyone to judge but I just always thought he was a different player. It's kind of cool being on this side of things now in MLS, those guys are like colleagues now. Talking with them, it gives you something to strive for, not that we weren't before but talking to them in person, it sort of comes full throttle to where we want to follow in their footsteps and bring a trophy back to Chicago."
Of course, the satisfaction that comes from an encounter like Saturday night’s isn’t limited to just one side. For the collection of club legends, the fulfillment of maintaining a strong bond with their former teammates, with current players and with the club itself was evident for all to see.
“You can see from the fact that they all come back, obviously it means a lot to them,” Stephens said. “For them to support [Razov], who most of them played or worked with, as you go through your career and meet different people who you achieve things with, you have a certain connection with them and they all have that with each other.”
"Some of the younger guys didn't know all of the [Ring of Fire members] so we had to sort of explain to them, but it was a great atmosphere," Nyarko said. "Sometimes you see their names and numbers in the Ring of Fire up top and you don't see the true meaning of it until you're around them. I had chats with a few of them, and it was really a pleasure." 
Count fresh-faced rookie Patrick Doody among those who walked out of the locker room Saturday evening with an even deeper appreciation of his club's history.
“I’ve heard a lot about those guys and those teams. It was really special having grown up as a fan of the club and having them in the locker room after a win. I shook everyone’s hand and thanked them for being there and that was enough.”