Chicago Bears History: From the Decatur Staleys to the Monsters of the Midway Few franchises in professional sports have a history as deep as the Chicago Bears. The Bears are one of the two remaining charter members of the NFL, tracing their roots to 1920. Before they became the Chicago Bears, they were the Decatur Staleys, an industrial football team sponsored by the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company. The franchise moved to Chicago in 1921, changed its name to the Bears in 1922 and has been one of professional football’s most important organizations ever since. The Bears have won nine NFL championships, including the 1985 Super Bowl, and their history includes George Halas, Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski, Sid Luckman, Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, Brian Urlacher, Devin Hester and many other Hall of Fame players. The franchise has also produced some of the most famous defenses in football history. The Birth of the Bears In 1920, the A.E. Staley Company of Decatur, Illinois, sponsored a football team. George Halas, who had experience as both a player and coach, became the team’s representative at the September 17, 1920 meeting in Canton, Ohio, where representatives of 11 other clubs helped form the American Professional Football Association, which became the National Football League in 1922. The franchise fee was only $100. The original team was the Decatur Staleys. In 1921, A.E. Staley gave Halas the team, $5,000 and permission to move the club to Chicago as long as it retained the Staleys name for one season. The move worked. The Chicago Staleys won the 1921 APFA championship. In January 1922, the franchise officially became the Chicago Bears. The Bears were born. George Halas: The Man Who Was the Bears It is almost impossible to tell the story of the Bears without telling the story of George “Papa Bear” Halas. Halas was: Player, Coach, Owner, General manager, Founder, Innovator, and NFL pioneer. He coached the Bears for 40 seasons, divided into four separate 10-year periods. His coaching record was an extraordinary 324-151-31, including playoffs. He led Chicago to six NFL championships as coach: 1921, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1946 and 1963. Halas retired from coaching after the 1967 season. He remained the guiding force of the organization until his death in 1983. Few people in NFL history have had a greater influence on a franchise. Bears Ownership History One of the unusual things about the Chicago Bears is that the franchise has remained in the same family since its earliest days. A.E. Staley Company — 1920 The original Decatur Staleys were owned by the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company. The company sponsored the team and employed many of its players. The Staleys’ financial problems helped lead to the decision to give George Halas control of the franchise and allow him to move it to Chicago. George Halas — 1920-1983 George Halas became the dominant owner and leader of the franchise. For more than six decades, the Bears were essentially his football kingdom. He was involved in virtually every aspect of the organization. The Pro Football Hall of Fame notes that almost all of the Bears’ successes from their beginning through 1983 can be attributed to Halas. Virginia Halas McCaskey — 1983-2025 After George Halas died in 1983, ownership passed to his daughter, Virginia Halas McCaskey. She became one of the most important women in NFL history. McCaskey was born in 1923 and had literally grown up around the Bears. She had watched the franchise from the earliest days of professional football and eventually became its principal owner. She was the owner when the Bears won Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season. McCaskey remained the team’s principal owner until her death on February 6, 2025, at age 102. She had been the longest-tenured owner in the NFL. The McCaskey Family — 2025-present After Virginia McCaskey’s death, the Bears remained a McCaskey family-owned franchise. Her grandson, George H. McCaskey, serves as Bears chairman and is the current principal owner/representative of the family’s ownership. The important point is that the Bears have never been sold to an outside ownership group in their modern history. The same family that began with George Halas continues to control the franchise more than a century later. Every Major Bears Home Stadium The Bears have played their home games in several locations during their long history. Staley Field — Decatur, Illinois 1920 This was the original home of the Decatur Staleys. It was a small facility with a capacity of approximately 1,500. The limitations of playing in Decatur were one reason Halas moved the team to Chicago. Cubs Park — Chicago 1921-1925 After moving to Chicago, the Staleys played at Cubs Park. The ballpark was later renamed Wrigley Field. Wrigley Field 1926-1970 Wrigley Field became the Bears’ home for half a century. The Bears played their final game there on December 13, 1970, defeating the Green Bay Packers 35-17. Wrigley was home to some of the greatest players in early Bears history including: Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski, Sid Luckman, George McAfee, Bulldog Turner, Dick Butkus, and Gale Sayers. Soldier Field 1971-2001 The Bears moved to Soldier Field in 1971. The stadium became the permanent symbol of Bears football. It was the home of Walter Payton, the 1985 championship team and the legendary Bears defenses. Memorial Stadium — Champaign, Illinois 2002 … Continue reading Chicago Bears History: From the Decatur Staleys
Tag: Matt Nagy
SUPER BOWL LVIII (58) A REMATCH FOR THE AGES
[adrotate group=”1″] [wpcdt-countdown id=”15138″] Super Bowl LVIII (58) will be played on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two teams that will compete for the title are the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, who met in Super Bowl LIV in 2020, with the Chiefs winning 31-20. The halftime show will feature Usher, a Grammy-winning R&B singer and dancer2. You can watch the game on CBS or Nickelodeon, or stream it on Paramount+1. The biggest game of the year is almost here. On Sunday, February 11, 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will face off in Super Bowl 58 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the second time these two teams will meet in the Super Bowl, after the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV in 2020. Will the Chiefs repeat their victory, or will the 49ers get their revenge? Here are some key factors to consider before the game. THE QUARTER BACKS Super Bowl 58 will feature a showdown between two of the best quarterbacks in the league: Patrick Mahomes of the CHIEFS and Brock Purdy of the 49’ERS. Mahomes, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, has been sensational this season, leading the league in passing yards (5,472), touchdowns (48), and passer rating (117.9). He has also shown his ability to make clutch plays with his arm and his legs, especially in the playoffs, where he led the Chiefs to comeback wins over the TEXANS and the RAVENS. Mahomes is looking to become the first quarterback to win back-to-back Super Bowls since Tom Brady in 2004 and 2005. Purdy, on the other hand, is a newcomer to the Super Bowl stage, but he has proven himself to be a worthy contender. The second-year pro, who was drafted by the 49’ERS in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has had a breakout season, throwing for 4,316 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions. He has also displayed his mobility and toughness, rushing for 421 yards and seven touchdowns, and overcoming a shoulder injury that sidelined him for two games in the regular season. Purdy has been impressive in the postseason, leading the 49ers to dominant wins over the Lions and the Rams, and outplaying veteran quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers. Both Mahomes and Purdy have plenty of weapons at their disposal, such as CHIEFS Receiver Rashee Rice. TE: Travis Kelce. RB: Isiah Pacheco 49’ers have WR Deebo Samuel, TE George Kittle. and RB Christian McCaffrey. The Super Bowl 58 could very well come down to which quarterback can make the most plays and avoid the most mistakes. THE DEFENSE While the Super Bowl 58 is expected to be a high-scoring affair, the defenses of both teams should not be overlooked. The CHIEFS and the 49’ERS have two of the most balanced and talented defenses in the league, ranking in the top 10 in both points allowed and yards allowed per game. Both teams also have some of the best pass rushers and playmakers in the league, The CHIEFS have DT: Chris Jones, LB: Frank Clark. For the 49’ERS , DL: Nick Bosa, and LB: Fred Warner. The CHIEFS defense has improved significantly since last year, when they ranked 17th in points allowed and 20th in yards allowed per game. Under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the CHIEFS have become more aggressive and opportunistic, forcing 28 turnovers (tied for third in the league) and scoring four defensive touchdowns (tied for second in the league). The CHIEFS defense has also stepped up in the playoffs, holding the TEXANS and the RAVENS to 20 and 17 points, respectively, and generating six turnovers and seven sacks. The 49’ERS defense has been dominant all season long, ranking second in points allowed (17.1 per game) and fourth in yards allowed (304.9 per game). The 49’ERS‘ defense is led by their fearsome front four, which features Bosa, Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, and Dee Ford. The 49’ERS defense has recorded 54 sacks (second in the league) and 27 turnovers (tied for fifth in the league). The 49’ERS defense has also been dominant in the playoffs, holding the LIONS and the RAMS to 13 and 10 points, respectively, and generating five turnovers and nine sacks. Both defenses will have their hands full trying to stop the explosive offenses of their opponents. The key for both defenses will be to pressure the quarterbacks, disrupt the timing of the passing game, and force turnovers. THE COACHES Super Bowl 58 will also feature a rematch between two of the best coaches in the league: Andy Reid of the CHIEFS and Kyle Shanahan of the 49’ERS. Reid, who won his first Super Bowl last year, is one of the most respected and successful coaches in NFL history, with a career record of 238-140-1. He is known for his offensive genius, his innovative play-calling, and his ability to develop quarterbacks. Reid has also shown his adaptability and resilience, overcoming several challenges and controversies throughout his career. Shanahan, who lost his first Super Bowl as a head coach last year, is one of the most promising and creative coaches in the league, with a career record of 36-28. He is known for his offensive brilliance, his scheme versatility, and his knack for finding and maximizing talent. Shanahan has also shown his determination and leadership, turning the 49ers from a 4-12 team in 2018 to a 12-5 team in 2023. Both Reid and Shanahan have assembled strong coaching staffs, with coordinators. CHIEFS STAFF: HC :Andy Reid. 11 years as CHIEFS HC. Asst. Coach/Special Teams: Dave Toub. OC: Matt Nagy, DC: Steve Spagunolo. Pass Coordinator: Joe Bleymaier. Statistical Analysis Coordinator: Mike Frazier. QB Coach, David Girardi 49’ERS STAFF: HC: Kyle Shanahan. QB: Coach is Brian Griese who left his job on MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL to become teams QB coach. (He and his father Bob Griese are the… Continue reading SUPER BOWL LVIII (58) A REMATCH FOR THE AGES
