The Chicago Bears have announced that owner Virginia Halas McCaskey has died at 102 years old, after 42 years of overseeing the team.
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#Bears principal owner Virginia McCaskey has passed away at the age of 102.
RIP. pic.twitter.com/Bs0E95n8QF
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 6, 2025
McCaskey's storied legacy stemmed from being the daughter of George Halas, who was the founder of the Bears franchise.
Ever since inheriting principal ownership of the team on October 31, 1983, McCaskey has handled her duties with grace, impacting many lives in the football community.
RIP to Bears owner Virginia McCaskey. Say hello to Papa Bear for us! #DaBears pic.twitter.com/FPYWKIGJUa
— Snoop Von 💩 (@SnoopVonPoop) February 6, 2025
That is, in the entirety of the franchise's existence, McCaskey was only the second owner.
Owned it for a good 42 years after her father passed away
She was probably alive for every single NFL game in existence except for 300 of them which is crazy given that 17,949 NFL games have been played ever
— Calebescence (@MustacheDLuffy) February 6, 2025
Notably, she McCaskey was alive for eight of the Bears' nine NFL Championship titles, and her greatest accomplishment came when celebrating the franchise's first Super Bowl title in 1985, in her second season as owner.
And throughout her tenure, she was known to attend every game she could, both home and away.
HEARTWARMING: THE FINAL PLAY MRS. VIRGINIA HALAS MCCASKEY SAW AS THE OWNER OF THE #BEARS WAS THIS PLAY AGAINST THE PACKERS.
IT WAS ON HER 102ND BIRTHDAY.
🥹🥹🥹
HELL OF A LIFE SHE HAD LIVED. SPECIAL.
pic.twitter.com/1Qg5TKVHDO— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 6, 2025
"Nobody has seen as much NFL history up close as she has," Pro football writer Dan Pompei once said. "She is completely unique in that regard."
Her son, Bears chairman George H. McCaskey, spoke on his mother being the source of inspiration for not only the team but also the family.
"With her at the helm, the seas are calmer, the storms less severe. She's the guiding force behind the Bears, and everybody at Halas Hall—including the players—knows that and appreciates that."
"For all of us—her children and grandchildren—she's a source of daily inspiration," George said.
To note, more than half of McCaskey's 11 children have worked for the Bears in some capacity.
Currently, four sons are present in the day-to-day operations: George (chairman), Patrick (vice president), Brian (vice president) and Rich (administration).
While the oldest son Michael (1943-2020), served as Bears president (1982-99) and chairman (1999-2011), along with the second-oldest child, Tim (1945-2011), being vice president from 1993-2011.
The family, that also includes 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, paid tribute to the long-time Bears owner in a tribute statement.
"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. She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans."
McCaskey was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023, and will forever be remembered as NFL royalty.
Related: Walter Payton, George Halas Finally Get Statues at Chicago's Soldier Field
