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Chicago Bears NFL Franchise History | The Chicago Bears, one of the NFL's most iconic franchises, boast a rich history with surprising beginnings. Contrary to their fierce mascot, the Bears' origin stemmed not from gridiron dominance, but from an unlikely source: a laundry products company team.

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Chicago Bears NFL Franchise History

By Darin Hayes 📅 2025-03-31
The Chicago Bears, one of the NFL's most iconic franchises, boast a rich history with surprising beginnings. Contrary to their fierce mascot, the Bears' origin stemmed not from gridiron dominance, but from an unlikely source: a laundry products company team.

(Image credit: upload.wikimedia.org)

In 1919, a young George Halas and a group of friends, were employed at the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company. The manufacturer sponsored a baseball and later a football team to not only market the brand but to keep their employees in good shape of body and mind. This led to the venture into the burgeoning sport of professional football. With a mere $5,000 investment, they formed the Decatur Staleys, named after A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, which sponsored the team.

The Staleys played their first game on September 19, 1920, against the Rock Island Independents. Despite losing 6-10, the game marked the launch of an extraordinary journey.

In 1921, the team relocated to Chicago, kept the Staleys name for another year per an agreement with he manufacturer as Halas would assume ownership, and in honor of the nickname "Cubs," the city's beloved baseball team chose a suitable moniker to match. Inspired by the powerful and athletic grizzly bears roaming the Midwest, Halas opted for the iconic "Bears" nickname in 1922, solidifying their identity.

The following years saw the Bears navigate financial struggles and player turnover. Yet, under Halas's steady leadership, the team gradually gained traction. In 1925, they achieved their first winning season and earned their first NFL Championship title in 1940.

From humble beginnings as a wrestling promoter's side project, the Chicago Bears emerged as a powerhouse of professional football. Their journey, fueled by perseverance and a fierce mascot, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the "Monsters of the Midway."

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  • Paddy Driscoll Early NFL Superstar back
  • The First NFL Controversy Examined
  • Staleys Morph Into the Bears

    • Paddy Driscoll Early NFL Superstar back

    Born January 11, 1895, in Evanston, Illinois, was College and Pro Football Hall of Fame back, Paddy Driscoll. This amazing athlete played college football as a quarterback and halfback for the Northwestern football team in 1915 and 1916. In 1917, he played Major League Baseball as an infielder for the Chicago Cubs.
    EventDay:January 11
    NFL Jersey:Number 01, Number 02, Number 20
    Football Name:Driscoll Paddy, George Halas, Paddy Driscoll
    Football Position:halfback, quarterback
    Football Team:Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, Decatur Staleys
    Sports:football, pro football

    He joined the United States Navy during World War I and played for the undefeated 1918 Great Lakes Navy football team that won the 1919 Rose Bowl. A triple-threat man in football, he was regarded as the best drop kicker and one of the best overall players in the early years of the National Football League. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974. Paddy was on the Pro Football rosters of for the Hammond All-Stars (1917), Hammond Pros (1919), Racine/Chicago Cardinals (1920–1925), and Chicago Bears (1926–1929).
    NFL Jersey 20. NFL Jersey 1. NFL Jersey 2.

    "Paddy Driscoll Early NFL Superstar back"

    The First NFL Controversy Examined

    The NFL, with its passionate fans and high-stakes games, is no stranger to controversy. But did you know the league's first major controversy stretches back to its very early days? The 1921 NFL Championship, shrouded in accusations and a sense of injustice, remains a hotly debated topic even a century later.
    Video:Gridiron Legends
    Football Event:Staley Swindle
    Football Team:Buffalo All-Americans, Chicago Bears
    Football:scandal

    Was a dominant team robbed of their rightful title? Did a loophole in the rules lead to a questionable champion? Join us as we untangle the truth behind the 1921 NFL Championship controversy. We'll delve into the events that unfolded, the accusations that flew, and the lasting impact it had on the young professional football league. This is a story of ambition, heartbreak, and the fight for football supremacy – a story that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the NFL's beginnings.

    Play on YOUTUBE
    "The First NFL Controversy Examined"

    Staleys Morph Into the Bears

    June 24, 1922 - The Chicago Staleys franchise changes its name to the Chicago Bears. 
    EventDay:June 24
    Football Team:Chicago Bears, Decatur Staleys

    The Chicago Bears franchise actually began as the Decatur Staleys in 1920, founded by the A.E. Staley food starch company in Decatur, Illinois, with George Halas as their player-coach. In 1921, A.E. Staley gave Halas the team, along with $5,000, and permission to move it to Chicago under the condition that they retain the "Staleys" name for one more season. After playing as the Chicago Staleys in 1921, Halas officially renamed the team the Chicago Bears in 1922, drawing inspiration from the Chicago Cubs baseball team that shared their new home, Wrigley Field.

    "Staleys Morph Into the Bears"
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    video
    George Halas The Gridiron Godfather Who Sha...History
    George Halas wasn't just a football player, coach, or owner; he was an architect, a pioneer, and a godfather. Spanning seven decades, his career intertwined....
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    Jim Finks: Pro Football Hall of Famer, Play...L Teams
    Jim Finks, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, wasn't just a quarterback; he was a visionary leader. From his playing days with the Pittsburgh Steelers and....
    Page
    George Connor Notre Dame and Chicago Bears...ay Star
    George Leo Connor was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 21, 1925. A dominant force on both the collegiate and professional levels, Connor earned his....
    Page
    Richard Dent:The Teeth of a Tough Bears Defense
    December 13, 1960, in Atlanta, Georgia, Richard Dent forged a Hall of Fame career in American football, renowned for his exceptional pass-rushing prowess.....
    Page
    Stan Jones
    As a cornerstone of the Chicago Bears' offensive line, Stan Jones, proudly wearing #78, became renowned for his exceptional strength and unwavering consistency. His masterful blocking provided....
    About "Chicago Bears NFL Franchi...story" 🡃
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