Virginia McCaskey, who inherited ownership of the Chicago Bears from her father, George Halas, and maintained a low profile for over four decades as the principal owner, has passed away at the age of 102. The family of McCaskey announced her passing on Thursday, revealing that she had owned the Bears since her father’s death on October 31, 1983.
“Although we are saddened by the loss, we take comfort in knowing that Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, fulfilling, and faith-driven life and has now reunited with her beloved on earth,” the family shared in a statement. “She led the Bears for four decades, making every decision based on what was best for the players, coaches, staff, and fans.”
Following in her father’s footsteps as a co-founder of the NFL, McCaskey ensured that the team remained within the family. She delegated operational responsibilities and the role of president to her eldest son, Michael McCaskey, who later served as chairman until being succeeded by her other son, George McCaskey, in 2011.
Under her ownership, the Bears achieved victory in a Super Bowl in 1986 and reached the championship game again 21 years later.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell paid tribute to Virginia Halas McCaskey, acknowledging her as a dignified figure who upheld the values of faith, family, and football. The commissioner highlighted her commitment to preserving the legacy of the Bears and praised her dedication to the family business.
Virginia McCaskey’s legacy lives on through her sons who continue to serve on the Bears’ board of directors. The team’s current estimated value stands at $6.4 billion according to Forbes.com.
Although she never anticipated assuming a leadership role, McCaskey took charge of the team after her father’s passing in 1983 and entrusted her late husband, Ed McCaskey, with the position of chairman. She then passed the reins to Michael, her eldest child.
In a rare interview in 2006, McCaskey humbly acknowledged the weight of the family legacy and emphasized their role as custodians, striving to uphold and pass on the tradition with integrity.
Despite her understated presence and hands-off approach, McCaskey occasionally made pivotal decisions as the family matriarch. Notable instances include resolving a lawsuit involving her late brother’s children in 1987 and more recently, overseeing coaching and managerial changes within the team.
Virginia McCaskey’s leadership and dedication to the Chicago Bears have left an indelible mark on the franchise, embodying a legacy of excellence and integrity that will endure for generations to come.
“Nine championships, and she’s hungry for more,” he mentioned shortly after. “She believes it’s been too long since our last Super Bowl victory, and that sense of dissatisfaction is felt not only by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but also by Bears fans worldwide. She’s had enough of mediocrity. She thinks that both she and all Bears supporters out there deserve better.”
Virginia McCaskey’s devotion to the team was deeply ingrained. As shared by her family members, she would often skip serving dessert on Sundays following a Bears loss. Recalling a moment from 2006, she reminisced about attending the inaugural playoff game in league history when she was just 9 years old.
The 1932 season saw the Bears and Portsmouth Spartans deadlocked at the top of the standings, leading the league to schedule an additional game to determine the champion. Due to snowy conditions, the match was relocated indoors to the old Chicago Stadium, where the Bears emerged victorious with a 9-0 scoreline on an 80-yard field that extended right up to the walls.
“I recall not keeping my ticket stub, but one of my cousins had held onto his,” McCaskey recalled. “We sat in the second balcony, and the ticket cost was $1.25. I even took it to a Super Bowl once to show Pete Rozelle, the former Commissioner, and then I lost track of it. But that’s alright.”
During her tenure as the Bears’ owner, McCaskey spearheaded the establishment of the Bears Care program in 2005. The Bears proudly shared that Bears Care has allocated grants exceeding $31.5 million to 225 eligible organizations, aimed at enhancing the well-being of individuals in the Chicago area, particularly disadvantaged children and their families. Furthermore, Bears Care actively backed health awareness initiatives concentrating on breast and ovarian cancer.
In her lifetime, McCaskey bore 11 children – eight sons and three daughters. Her surviving sons include Patrick (Gretchen), Edward Jr. (Kathy), George (Barbara), Richard, Brian (Barbara), and Joseph, while her daughters are Ellen (Barney) Tonquest, Mary, and Anne (Mike) Catron. McCaskey is also fondly remembered by 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
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Litke, the primary writer of this obituary, retired from The Associated Press in 2022.
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