Virginia McCaskey, Chicago Bears Owner and Daughter of George Halas, Dies at 102

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Virginia McCaskey, Chicago Bears Owner and Daughter of George Halas, Dies at 102
CHICAGO BEARSVIRGINIA MCCASKEYGEORGE HALAS
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Virginia McCaskey, the longtime owner of the Chicago Bears and daughter of team founder George Halas, passed away at the age of 102. She was known for her stewardship of the franchise for four decades, prioritizing the well-being of players, coaches, staff, and fans.

Virginia McCaskey, the longtime owner of the Chicago Bears and daughter of founder George Halas , passed away at the age of 102 on Thursday. The team announced her death, sharing a statement from her family that expressed their comfort in knowing she lived a long, fulfilling life. They highlighted her dedication to the Bears for four decades, emphasizing her commitment to making decisions that prioritized the well-being of players, coaches, staff, and fans.

McCaskey officially took over as the Bears owner on October 31, 1983, following the death of her father. Born in Chicago in 1923, she was the eldest child of George and Min Halas, her younger brother being George S. 'Mugs' Halas Jr. After studying at Drexel University in Philadelphia, she met her future husband, Edward W. McCaskey, whom she married in 1943 before he joined the military during World War II. Like her father, a co-founder of the NFL, McCaskey ensured the team remained within the family. She granted operational control and the title of president to her eldest son, Michael McCaskey, who served as chairman until being succeeded by his brother, George McCaskey, in 2011.McCaskey, the elder Halas child, never anticipated leading the team. Her brother, 'Mugs' Halas, was slated to take over, but tragically died of a heart attack in 1979. McCaskey stepped into ownership upon her father's death in 1983, and her late husband, Ed McCaskey, succeeded Halas as chairman. Soon after, she entrusted control to Michael, the eldest of her 11 children. In a rare 2006 interview, McCaskey acknowledged the weight of the legacy they had inherited. She described herself as a 'custodian,' committed to passing on the team responsibly. Despite her generally hands-off approach and low public profile, McCaskey occasionally wielded her authority on crucial team decisions. One instance involved a 1987 lawsuit by 'Mugs' Halas' children, which she resolved through a stock buyout of their shares. Another example came in December 2014, when George McCaskey announced the termination of coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery. When asked about his mother's role in the decision, he admitted, 'She's pissed off.' 'I can't think of a 91-year-old woman that that description would apply,' he said, 'but in this case, I can't think of a more accurate description.' He further explained her dissatisfaction with the team's 5-11 season and its overall decline, adding that she, along with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, desired a return to championship form. 'She wants more,' he stated, emphasizing their shared frustration with mediocrity. McCaskey's deep connection to the Bears ran through her family. She reportedly withheld dessert on Sundays when they lost. In that same 2006 interview, she reminisced about attending the first playoff game in league history at age 9, witnessing the Bears' 9-0 victory against the Portsmouth Spartans. Her ownership coincided with the establishment of the Bears Care program in 2005. The program has awarded over $31.5 million in grants to 225 organizations, aiming to enhance the lives of individuals in the Chicago area, particularly disadvantaged children and their families. Bears Care also supported health awareness initiatives focusing on breast and ovarian cancer. McCaskey is survived by eight sons and three daughters. Her husband passed away in 2003, and their sons, Timothy and Michael, predeceased her in 2011 and 2020, respectively

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