MAMA BEAR

Longest-Tenured NFL Team Owner Dies at 102

Virginia Halas McCaskey said it was a “bumpy road” getting the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl in 2006.

The Chicago Bears announced on Thursday that the team’s longtime owner Virginia Halas McCaskey has died at age 102. “While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on earth,” the family said in a statement. “She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans.” McCaskey took over ownership of the NFL team from her father George Halas, who founded the the team in 1920. McCaskey said it was a “bumpy road” getting the team to the 2006 Super Bowl after a 21 year-absence, reflecting on calls for her to “sell the team and give Chicago competent ownership.” She added, “OK, maybe I’m not competent, but Ed and I found the people to do the job. Actually, we found Ted Phillips and he found [former general manager] Jerry Angelo and Jerry Angelo found [former coach] Lovie Smith and here we are.” Under the team’s post on X, one fan added, “VIRGINIA you were truly a Legend Pillar of the @ChicagoBears.”