Virginia McCaskey, owner of the Chicago Bears and affectionately known as ‘Mama Bear’, passed away this Thursday at the age of 102, as reported by her family. She was the oldest owner in the NFL and the only woman. Up until two years ago, she still attended games at the stadiums, enthusiastic about her team’s matches.
McCaskey took over as owner of the Chicago Bears after the death of her father George S. Halas on October 31, 1983. In the statement regarding 'Mama Bear's' passing, her relatives highlighted her faith and how she always based every business decision of the team on the players, coaches, staff, and fans.
"While we are sad, it is comforting to know that Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full life filled with faith and is now with the love of her life on earth... She led the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for the players, coaches, staff, and fans," says the statement about her passing.
NBC News highlighted that Virginia McCaskey always kept the team under her family's administration. After her father's death, she appointed her husband Ed McCaskey as president until he was succeeded by her eldest son Michael McCaskey, and then her other son George McCaskey in 2011.
The aforementioned media outlet stated that during 'Mama Bear's' tenure, the Chicago Bears won a Super Bowl in 1986 and lost a second one 21 years later.
Currently, four of McCaskey's children are on the team's board of directors: George, Patrick, Brian, and Ed. According to Forbes, the current value of the Chicago Bears is $6.4 billion.
How did Virginia McCaskey start with the Chicago Bears?
Virginia McCaskey was the eldest of the two children of George S. Halas. Her brother George "Mugs" Halas Jr. was being trained by their father to take over the Chicago Bears, so she never expected to be in charge, but he suddenly died of a heart attack in 1979.
‘Mama Bear’ always kept a low profile, but when it came to important decisions, she was the one who decided. She managed to keep the team among the top 10 in the NFL.
It is still unknown what will happen with the Chicago Bears after McCaskey's death, but Axios Chicago reported that her son George stated that she left a succession plan for after her passing.