The Bears’ matriarch has passed away. The team announced on Thursday that owner Virginia McCaskey has died at the age of 102. 
McCaskey’s father, George Halas, purchased the franchise in 1920 and participated in the meeting which founded the American Professional Football Association (later renamed to the National Football League). He remained the Bears’ controlling owner until his passing in 1983. At that point, McCaskey inherited the franchise.
Early in McCaskey’s time at the helm of the Bears, they won what stands to this day as their only Super Bowl title. She was still working as the team’s principal owner (a role which included voting on behalf of 13 family members on the board of directors) when Chicago most recently made it to the Super Bowl (2006). It is unclear at this point how the board will take shape moving forward as it pertains to the 80% ownership stake the McCaskey family represents.
“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 [late husband Ed McCaskey],” a family statement reads in part. “She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans. Over the last 41-plus years, Mrs. McCaskey continued the steadfast mission set forth by her father to uphold the values of the City of Chicago, its people and its fans.”
George McCaskey took on the role of chairman in 2011, and he remains in that position to this day. With respect to day-to-day operations, president/CEO Kevin Warren has been at the helm since the start of last season, and that will remain the case moving forward. The Bears’ front office structure will see head coach Ben Johnson report to general manager Ryan Poles, who will in turn report to Warren.
Overall, McCaskey’s life spanned eight of Chicago’s nine NFL championships and her mark on the franchise is unquestionable. In recent years, George has made it clear the franchise is set to remain in the family moving forward, so continuity at the ownership level should be expected in the wake of his mother’s passing.
So the McCaskeys never earned any money. They’ve been living off of all of Halas’ work. “free loaders”
What are you even talking about? She was a Halas.
It would’ve taken you literally 5 seconds to google her. Virginia HALAS McCaskey. What a dumb comment
Nepo baby.
RIP Virginia. However you feel about the McCaskey’s job running the bears, that woman was undeniably an absolute NFL and Chicago legend. And the last game she saw was the Bears beating the Packers.
That last part is heartwarming
Bears’ reign as offseason champs continues
You’re a POS
oh no, a murderer died today!!!
She’s a murderer? First I’ve heard of that, what’s the story?
Who did she murder and when? Sounds like her worst crime is pissing in your off brand Cheerios.
Quite the off season so far. not much happening at all. Still even Goodell got it right when he said she had a lot of class. She probably had more class than all the other owners put together. RIP Virginia, You earned a rest.
The offsesson starts march 12th
RIP Virginia…..
RIP. 102 is a Barry Sanders like run.
“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 [late husband Ed McCaskey],” a family statement reads.
How does it work in the afterlife when you remarry?
“Honey, this is Bill. I think you two will really get along well for eternity.”
Yeah, I remember when Gene Wilder died and some people were like “He’s back with Gilda now,” which seemed weird to say about a guy who just left behind a widow after 25 years of marriage.
I like to think the after life is a record of your greatest hits for the good and your worst hits for the bad.
Define that as you will to yourself.
102 is a great run. Condolences to her family and friends. RIP
102!
She was the class act of that franchise for decades. She never pretended to know about the game, but she forged great love for players over the years. If her sons hadn’t been so inept, the franchise would’ve been at the level of class she brought to the whole game. Rip… Virginia…
Ah, yes …, the boys.
I thought I recalled the media saying she went to the game in Green Bay in early January. So she went smiling on that kick