The daughter of Chicago Bears founder George Halas leaves behind a century-long legacy of football excellence and family dedication.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Virginia Halas McCaskey, the Bears' matriarch and NFL's closest connection to its founding, passed away Thursday morning at the age of 102.
Born on January 5, 1923, McCaskey inherited the Bears from her father in 1983, becoming one of the few women to hold such a powerful position in professional sports. She maintained approximately 80% ownership of the Bears through a family voting bloc, representing 13 family members on the board of directors.
The succession plan for the Bears' ownership following McCaskey's death remains unclear, though her son George has repeatedly assured that arrangements are in place to keep the team within the family. The NFL requires each team to maintain a succession plan, but specific details are not publicly available.
McCaskey's influence on the Bears extended far beyond mere ownership. She witnessed numerous pivotal moments in NFL history, including the league's first championship game when she was just nine years old. Her father's decision to purchase the franchise for $100 in 1920 laid the foundation for what would become one of the most storied franchises in professional sports.
Throughout her tenure, McCaskey maintained a modest approach to team ownership, residing in an unassuming Des Plaines home where she and her late husband Ed raised their 11 children.
Her dedication to the team was unwavering, as evidenced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's statement. He said:
She left a legacy of class, dignity and humanity and the Bears that her father started meant the world to her.
McCaskey's approach to player relationships evolved throughout her years with the team. After the devastating loss of running back Brian Piccolo to cancer in 1970, she and her husband initially decided to maintain professional distance from players. However, Walter Payton's arrival prompted them to reconsider this stance.
Her involvement in team operations remained active well into her late 90s. She regularly attended NFL owners meetings and Bears road games, though these appearances became less frequent in recent years. Her presence at the Bears 100 Weekend Celebration in June 2018 showcased her enduring wit and charm.
Under McCaskey's leadership, the Bears achieved their only Super Bowl victory in January 1986. The team's subsequent appearance in Super Bowl XLI ended in defeat against the Colts, followed by limited playoff success until 2018.
Virginia Halas McCaskey's passing represents more than just the loss of a team owner. As the daughter of George Halas, who founded what would become the NFL in Canton, Ohio, she served as the last direct link to the league's origins.
Her oversight of the Bears franchise spanned multiple decades, during which she witnessed the transformation of professional football from a fledgling sport into America's most popular game.
McCaskey's impact on the Bears organization will continue through her extensive family, including 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Her dedication to maintaining her father's legacy while adapting to the evolving landscape of professional football has left an indelible mark on both the Bears franchise and the NFL as a whole.
