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
Staleys - For sports fans, the history of a team's nickname is often intriguing. The Chicago Staleys, now known as the Bears, is no exception. Established in 1920 as one of the original National Football League (NFL) teams, they were initially named after their owner and coach George Halas' employer - A.E. Staley Company – hence "Staleys."
The team had several different nicknames over its first few years, including “Indians” and “Huskies,” before settling on Bears during a meeting between Halas and his players before the 1922 season opener against Rock Island Independents at Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field). According to legend, when asked for suggestions by Halas about what he should call his new franchise player, Joe Sternaman suggested "Bears" because it was short enough that it could fit into newspaper headlines while also reflecting Chicago's rough-and-tumble reputation with its long history of organized crime figures like Al Capone who was nicknamed Scarface due to facial scars from WWI combat wounds!
Chicago Staleys Origin
Since then, this iconic NFL franchise has gone on to win nine league championships, including eight since moving from Decatur, Illinois, where they played under their original name, until 1921 when they moved permanently into Wrigley Field, which became the home field for both baseball's Cubs & footballs Bears until 1970! This storied past makes them one of America’s oldest professional sports franchises still playing today, so if you're looking for some great historical context behind your favorite team, remember those beloved Chicago Staleys/Bears!
Championship
Super Bowl 0
1986
NFL Championships 0
1963, 1946, 1943, 1941, 1940, 1933
NFL Standings Champion 1
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
- 1921
- 1921
- 1921
- 1921
- 1922
-
Relocated to Chicago
The team relocated to Chicago in 1921, where the club was renamed the Chicago Staleys. Under an agreement reached by Halas and Sternaman with Staley, Halas purchased the rights to the club from Staley for $100. -
Staley hires George Halas and Edward “Dutch” Sternaman to run his football team
In January 1921: A.E. Staley hires George Halas and Edward “Dutch” Sternaman to run his football team, the Decatur Staleys, which had joined the American Professional Football Association (APFA) in 1920. -
Staleys play their first game of the season
In October 2 1921: The Staleys play their first game of the season, defeating the Rock Island Independents 14-10 on the road. -
Chicago Staleys Notable Player – Guy Chamberlin
In December 11 1921: The Staleys play their final game of the season, defeating the Canton Bulldogs 10-0 at home. Halas and Sternaman star for the team, while Guy Chamberlin and George Trafton are among the future Hall of Famers on the roster. -
Chicago Stalys changed their name to the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Stalys changed their name to the Chicago Bears in 1922 and become one of the most successful franchises in NFL history.
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.
Chicago Staleys History
The Chicago Staleys, previously known as the Decatur Staleys, are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They were founded in 1919 as the Decatur Staleys and joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1920, when it was known as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). The team changed its name to the Bears before their first season began.
The Chicago Staleys, now known as the Chicago Bears, have been one of the NFL's most successful teams, with nine NFL championships, including two Super Bowl victories. Chicago Staleys history also boast some of pro football’s greatest players, such as Red Grange and Walter Payton, who made significant contributions to establishing them among elite franchises within the sports entertainment industry today.
The early years of this franchise, known as the Decatur Staleys, saw many changes from ownership shifts to location moves; however, despite all these obstacles, they still managed success on the field by winning six division titles between 1933-1943, plus three additional titles during the post-war era under George Halas's leadership, which ultimately resulted in eight league championship appearances with four wins over that period of time.
Chicago Staleys Achievements
Chicago Staleys history boasts nine NFL championships, including eight pre-Super Bowl titles (1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963) and a Super Bowl XX victory in 1985. The team secured six division titles between 1933–1943 and three more in the post-war era. Known for legends like Walter Payton and the iconic “46 Defense,” the Bears remain a cornerstone of NFL excellence.
Sports Fan Products
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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
