Virginia Halas McCaskey, proprietor of the Chicago Bears for greater than 40 years, died Thursday. She was 102.
McCaskey’s father, George Halas, based the staff, and he or she assumed possession upon his demise on Oct. 31, 1983. Her son, George, has run the franchise since he grew to become chairman in 2011.
A explanation for demise was not introduced.
“Whereas we’re unhappy, we’re comforted understanding Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a protracted, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on earth,” the household mentioned in an announcement launched by the staff. “She guided the Bears for 4 many years and based mostly each enterprise determination on what was greatest for Bears gamers, coaches, employees and followers.”
McCaskey was on the helm when the Bears received their first Tremendous Bowl — and ninth NFL championship — in 1985. She attended each house and street sport that she may and had mentioned that whereas she did not have her father’s soccer acumen, she at all times needed to rent the most effective individuals to steer the product.
Her demise is just not anticipated to influence the possession of the Bears. The staff has a succession plan on file with the NFL, and McCaskey gave a glimpse at what it included in a 2016 interview with The Athletic.
Then, she predicted the Bears would stay family-owned “till the second coming.” Having grown up with the Bears herself, she inspired her heirs to attend video games and study as a lot in regards to the Bears’ place in Chicago and the NFL as attainable.
Final month, the Bears wished McCaskey a cheerful 102nd birthday through social media.
She was born in Chicago in 1923, the eldest of George and Min Halas’ two youngsters. In faculty at Drexel in Philadelphia, she met her future husband, Edward E. McCaskey, and so they married on Feb. 2, 1943.
The McCaskeys settled in Des Plaines, In poor health., in 1948 after McCaskey’s army service, and he went to work with the Bears in 1967 whereas his spouse targeted on elevating their 11 youngsters.
However when George Halas Jr., her brother, died abruptly in 1979, and adopted by her father’s demise, Virginia McCaskey was in cost.
As her husband and a few of their youngsters took over the day-to-day operation of the membership, Virginia McCaskey targeted on applications to raised Chicago, founding the Bears Care program in 2005. Since then, Bears Care has issued grants totaling greater than $31.5 million to native companies.
“Her influence on the soccer group won’t ever be forgotten. Our ideas are together with her household and all the Bears group throughout this troublesome time,” the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame wrote in an announcement.
We’re saddened to listen to in regards to the passing of @ChicagoBears proprietor Virginia Halas McCaskey.
Virginia took over principal possession of the Bears in 1983 following the passing of her father, George Halas, and her influence on the soccer group won’t ever be forgotten.
Our… pic.twitter.com/fOPwPpw3zU
— Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 6, 2025
Edward McCaskey handed away in 2003, adopted by sons Timothy in 2011 and Michael in 2020. She is survived by 9 youngsters, 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue referred to her every now and then as “the primary girl of the NFL,” however a number of ladies joined the possession ranks since McCaskey did. They’re Gayle Benson, New Orleans Saints; Sheila Ford Hamp, Detroit Lions; Amy Adams Strunk, Tennessee Titans; and Jody Allen, Seattle Seahawks. The checklist additionally contains three ladies who’ve possession shares with relations: Dee Haslam (Cleveland Browns), Denise DeBartolo York (San Francisco 49ers), Carol Davis (Las Vegas Raiders) and Kim Pegula (Buffalo Payments).
–Area Stage Media