
- 1921
-
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.
History of the Staleys
The Chicago 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.
Throughout their history, they have been one of the NFL's most successful teams with nine NFL championships including two Super Bowls victories. They also boast some of pro football’s greatest players such as Red Grange and Walter Payton who both made significant contributions to establishing them among elite franchises within the sports entertainment industry today.
The early years of this franchise 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 into eight league championship appearances with four wins over that period time frame.
During the 1980’s decade Bears had arguably the best defense ever assembled led by Mike Singletary and Richard Dent which anchored the 1985 Super Bowl XX title run alongside Jim McMahon's quarterbacking offense dubbed “the 46 Defense” due to its formation being used on almost every down play call throughout entire season dominating opponents en route 15-1 record while allowing only 198 points total year-long average 10 per game! This defensive unit is considered one greatest single seasons performances any sport has seen at any level of competition across the globe!
Today Bears continue to be a competitive force NFC North Division boasting notable stars like Khalil Mack and Devin Hester but unfortunately failed to make playoffs past few years largely attributed lack of offensive production since the 2017 campaign when ranked last in overall points scored standings even after having numerous high draft picks prior 2019 season start yet finished 8th place out 16 teams scoring just 21 points per game average! Despite recent struggles, the organization remains a proud tradition-rich winning culture thanks to decades worth of hard work and dedication to countless individuals associated with organizations throughout the ages making them a true legacy franchise within the annals National Football League worldwide!
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 - The club was established by the A. E. Staley food starch company of Decatur, Illinois in 1919 as a company team. Continued with the name Staley for the first year in Chicago.
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
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