- 1922
- 1983
- 1985
- 2003
-
Bears Team Nickname
In 1922, Halas changed the team name from the Staleys to the Bears. The team moved into Wrigley Field, which was home to the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise. As with several early NFL franchises, the Bears derived their nickname from their city’s baseball team some directly, some indirectly like the Bears, whose young are called “cubs”. Halas liked the bright ... -
New Owner Virginia McCaskey
On November 1, 1983, a day after the death of George Halas, his oldest daughter, Virginia McCaskey, took over as the majority owner of the team. Her husband, Ed McCaskey, succeeded her father as the Chairman of the Board. Their son Michael became the third president in team history. Mrs. McCaskey holds the honorary title of “secretary of the board ... -
Super Bowl Winner 1985
Super Bowl XX – 1985 Mike Ditka, a tight end for the Bears from 1961 to 1966, was hired to coach the team by George Halas in 1982. His gritty personality earned him the nickname “Iron Mike.” In the 1985 season, the fire in the Bears-Packers rivalry was relit when Ditka used 315-pound defensive tackle “Refrigerator” Perry as a running ... -
Soldier Field Renovation
In 2001, the Chicago Park District, which owns the structure, faced substantial criticism when it announced plans to alter the stadium with a design by architect Benjamin T. Wood of the Boston-based architecture firm Wood and Zapata. Stadium grounds were reconfigured by the Chicago-based architecture firm of Lohan Associate, led by architect Dirk Lohan, the grandson of architect Ludwig Mies ...
History of the Bears
The Chicago Bears are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, with a rich tradition and an impressive record of success. Since their founding in 1920, the Bears have won eight NFL championships (including Super Bowls XXI and XXVI) and hold the second-most regular-season wins among all teams since 1970. The team has also produced legendary players over its long tenure, including Hall of Famers such as Dick Butkus, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, and Mike Ditka.
The early years for the Bears were marked by great success on both sides of the ball. Led by George Halas (also known as “Papa Bear”), who served as head coach from 1919-1967 before becoming owner/chairman until he died in 1983 at age 88 – they captured four league titles between 1921-1946 while playing at Wrigley Field through 1970 when they moved to Soldier Field where they remain today. The 1940s were particularly successful for them under Halas’ leadership, winning three division titles between 1941–43, then again capturing another championship title during the 1946 season led by future Hall Famer quarterback Sid Luckman throwing 28 touchdowns en route to victory over Washington Redskins 41–21 on December 15th that year!
During this era, defensive end Doug Atkins was voted All-Pro seven times while linebacker Bill George made nine Pro Bowl appearances – setting a standard that would be hard-pressed to match even today's modern game standards! In 1963 running back Larry Morris became the first player ever selected from the University Georgia Bulldogs program when he joined the ranks with the Chicago franchise. Still, it wasn't until the 1985 arrival of Mike Ditka did things start to turn around after several losing seasons the prior decade or so... Under guidance, the new head coach/GM combo team quickly returned to glory days culminating in the '86 Superbowl win against New England Patriots 46–10, which remains the most significant margin victory in any extensive game history!
Today's roster is filled with talented young stars like Mitchell Trubisky & Tarik Cohen leading the way into the future alongside veteran standouts Khalil Mack, Kyle Fuller, and Akiem Hicks name, and a few names fans should keep an eye out for next time watch your favorite squad take field action-packed Sunday afternoon football games we've come to know love throughout years - go bears!!
Bears Products
Established
1920
City
Decatur - Chicago
League History
1920 – Present / National Football League
Team History
1922 - Present / Chicago Bears
1921 / Chicago Staleys
1920 / Decatur Staleys
Nickname
Bears - The Chicago Bears are one of the most iconic teams in the NFL, and their nickname is an integral part of their identity. But where did this storied moniker come from? Look at the history behind one of football’s most recognizable nicknames.
In 1919, when George Halas founded what would become known as The Monsters Of The Midway, he named his team after baseball's Chicago Cubs, then called "The Bearcats." Halas felt that using a similar animal-based name for his team would help him gain more fans from those already supporting baseball's beloved Cubbies. Thus was born “Chicago Bears” – and they have been known as such ever since!
Over time, however, other interpretations began to emerge about how exactly this nickname came into being. One famous story suggests that Halas chose “Bears” to honor President Teddy Roosevelt, whose Rough Riders had recently fought in Cuba during Spanish American War with great courage - much like bears do when facing danger head-on! Another theory claims that early members of the organization thought it was fitting due to its proximity to Lake Michigan, which has many bear sightings each year (though there hasn't been any scientific evidence confirming these claims).
Whatever its origin may be, though - whether through admiration for another sports franchise or homage paid towards America's 26th president - there is no denying just how vital 'Bears' has become over 100 years later: It stands proudly atop every piece merchandise sold; adorns jerseys worn all around the world; even serves as rallying cry amongst loyal fans everywhere rooting them on Sundays during fall months...and beyond! So next time you hear someone referring lovingly towards our beloved Windy City squad, don't forget why they've earned such an endearing title: They indeed are 'Da Bears.'
Championship
Super Bowl 1
1986
NFL Championships 6
1963, 1946, 1943, 1941, 1940, 1933
NFL Standings Champion 0
1921
Stadium
2003 - Present / Soldier Field II
*Champaign*
2002 / Memorial Stadium
*Chicago*
1971 - 2001 / Soldier Field I
1921 - 1970 / Wrigley Field
*Decatur*
1919 - 1920 / Staley Field
Owner
1983 - Present / Virginia Halas McCaskey
1933 - 1983 / George Halas
1921 - 1933 / George Halas and Dutch Sternaman
1919 - 1921 / A. E. Staley
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
3 / Bronko Nagurski
5 / George McAfee
7 / George Halas
28 / Willie Galimore
34 / Walter Payton
40 / Gale Sayers
41 / Brian Piccolo
42 / Sid Luckman
51 / Dick Butkus
56 / Bill Hewitt
61 / Bill George
66 / Clyde “Bulldog” Turner
77 / Harold “Red” Grange
89 / Mike Ditka
*Blue is this team’s history
