Virginia McCaskey, Matriarch of the Chicago Bears, Dies at 102
Virginia Halas McCaskey, the daughter of George Halas, the founder of the Chicago Bears, and a revered figure in the NFL, has passed away at the age of 102. The team confirmed her death on Thursday, reflecting on her remarkable life and her profound impact on both the Bears and the sport.
“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,” the family said in a statement. “She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff, and fans.”
Born on January 5, 1923, in Chicago, Virginia was less than three years old when her father founded the team, which originally started as the Decatur Staleys. As a child, she attended games with him and, throughout her life, is believed to have witnessed more NFL games than anyone else. The former NFL commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, famously dubbed her "The First Lady of the NFL."
Virginia McCaskey was the sole heir to the Bears following the death of her brother, George “Mugs” Halas Jr., in 1979. Her father’s passing in 1983 made her the owner of the Bears, and she ran the team for decades with a combination of passion, patience, and a strong sense of family values. She brought the same resilience and toughness to the role that had defined her father’s leadership.
In 1999, she made the tough decision to remove her eldest son, Michael McCaskey, as team president and hire financial director Ted Phillips as his replacement. Despite her reserved public persona, McCaskey’s influence on the team was undeniable, and she was instrumental in shaping the franchise’s future.
Though McCaskey was not interested in the spotlight, her legacy as a steadfast leader of the Bears was clear. She was a devout Catholic, philanthropist, and philanthropist, creating the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund after his passing in 1970. Her involvement extended to Bears Care, the team's charitable arm, and various local organizations, including the Maryville Educational Foundation.
McCaskey's family played a major role in her life, with her and her husband, Ed McCaskey, raising 11 children, including eight sons and three daughters. Her dedication to both her family and the Bears was central to her identity.
Her passing marks the end of an era for the franchise her father founded. McCaskey, one of the oldest living owners in American sports, had always lived by the principle of “faith, family, and football” — guiding the Bears as both a business and a family tradition.
Bears Chairman George McCaskey, her son, remembered his mother as a woman who was deeply committed to the team and to ensuring its continued legacy. “She was passionate about the Bears and, even in her final years, was a constant presence at Halas Hall, offering her support and wisdom,” George said.
McCaskey is survived by her children, 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Though she is gone, her legacy will continue to live on in the team she nurtured and in the hearts of Bears fans everywhere.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reflected on her life, saying, "Virginia Halas McCaskey, the matriarch of the Chicago Bears and daughter of George Halas, the founder of the NFL, leaves a legacy of class, dignity, and humanity."
Her contributions to the NFL, her commitment to family, and her love for the Bears will not be forgotten.
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