Farewell to Virginia Halas McCaskey: A Legacy in NFL History

Virginia Halas McCaskey, the heart and soul of the Bears franchise and one of the NFL’s closest connections to its inception, passed away Thursday morning at the age of 102.

In their statement, the Bears expressed, “Although we are saddened, we find solace in knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey led a long, rich life centered in faith and is now reunited with her beloved on earth.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised her for leaving “a legacy of elegance, integrity, and compassion,” emphasizing that the “Bears her father established held immense significance to her.”

As one of George Halas’ two children, Mrs. McCaskey was born on January 5, 1923. She and her late husband, Ed McCaskey, nurtured a family of 11 children in a modest Des Plaines home.

Following the passing of her brother, George “Mugs” Halas Jr., in 1979, she was in line to inherit the team from her father. Upon his passing on October 31, 1983, she assumed ownership, becoming one of the rare women in sports to wield such significant influence.