Virginia Halas McCaskey
Encyclopedia
Virginia Halas McCaskey (born January 5, 1923) is the principal owner of the Chicago Bears
of the National Football League
. She is the eldest child of legendary Bears coach and owner George Halas
, who left the team to his daughter upon his death in 1983. Along with her children and grandchildren, she controls 80% of the team.
, was the heir apparent for the franchise, but he died suddenly of a heart attack in 1979. As a result, McCaskey inherited an incredible nucleus of a team and was the owner when the Bears won Super Bowl XX
. However, the team struggled in the 1990s and, since 1999 she has been a very hands-off owner. Her son Michael McCaskey
was team president from 1983 to 1999 and was chairman of the board until May 6, 2011, when his brother George McCaskey assumed the position. George McCaskey had been the Bear's ticket office director since 1991. Team president Ted Phillips
currently has operational control.
Halas's husband Ed McCaskey was once the chairman and treasurer of the Bears. Although McCaskey never had any official share of ownership, he acted as co-owner alongside his wife. He died in 2003.
On January 21, 2007, she accepted the NFC Championship trophy, which bears her father's name. She called it "her happiest day so far", after the Bears had beaten the New Orleans Saints
to earn a trip to Super Bowl XLI
.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. She is the eldest child of legendary Bears coach and owner George Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
, who left the team to his daughter upon his death in 1983. Along with her children and grandchildren, she controls 80% of the team.
Biography
McCaskey's brother, George Jr.George Halas, Jr.
George Stanley Halas, Jr. , nicknamed "Mugs," was one of four presidents in the history of the Chicago Bears franchise of the National Football League. He was the son of George Halas, who was a former player, head coach, and owner of the Bears, and the co-founder of the NFL. George Jr. joined the...
, was the heir apparent for the franchise, but he died suddenly of a heart attack in 1979. As a result, McCaskey inherited an incredible nucleus of a team and was the owner when the Bears won Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX was an American football championship game played on January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1985 regular season...
. However, the team struggled in the 1990s and, since 1999 she has been a very hands-off owner. Her son Michael McCaskey
Michael McCaskey
Michael McCaskey was the Chairman of the Chicago Bears in the National Football League.-Biography:McCaskey, son of current Bears principal owner Virginia Halas McCaskey, is the oldest grandchild of George Halas and became president of the Bears in 1983 after Halas' death. McCaskey held that post...
was team president from 1983 to 1999 and was chairman of the board until May 6, 2011, when his brother George McCaskey assumed the position. George McCaskey had been the Bear's ticket office director since 1991. Team president Ted Phillips
Ted Phillips
Ted Phillips is the President and CEO of the NFL's Chicago Bears. He became president on February 10, 1999, and is the fourth president in the team's history.-References:...
currently has operational control.
Halas's husband Ed McCaskey was once the chairman and treasurer of the Bears. Although McCaskey never had any official share of ownership, he acted as co-owner alongside his wife. He died in 2003.
On January 21, 2007, she accepted the NFC Championship trophy, which bears her father's name. She called it "her happiest day so far", after the Bears had beaten the New Orleans Saints
2006 New Orleans Saints season
The 2006 New Orleans Saints season began with the team trying to improve on their 3-13 record in 2005. All of the team's 2006 regular season home games were played in the Louisiana Superdome, which had been damaged all of the previous season by Hurricane Katrina...
to earn a trip to Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI was an American football game that featured the American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts and the National Football Conference champion Chicago Bears to decide the National Football League champion for the 2006 season...
.