Football History

Born February 2, 1895, in Chicago, Illinois, was the gridiron legend at so many levels George Halas. Where would we be in Pro Football without the significant contributions of Papa Bear? A better question is if we have Pro football without Mr. Halas.

George Halas, Bob Carey and the Chicago Bears celebrate a victory over the 49ers in October of 1958 courtesy of Ralphcar via Wikimedia Commons

Halas was an outstanding player; in College, Halas caught a Touchdown pass from Paddy Driscoll as the Great Lakes Naval Station team cruised to a 17-0 Rose Bowl victory over the Mare Island Marines squad. Halas went on to help organize and coach the Decatur Staleys, was handed ownership of the franchise by Mr. Staley himself, and then moved the team to the Windy City and re-branded them as the Chicago Bears.

In 1902 Papa Bear met with other professional teams across the midwest to organize the APFA, the early name of the NFL in Ralph Hay’s Hupmobile Showroom over a bucket of beer! Halas also coached the Bears squad for 40 seasons stepping away once to serve in World War II.

According to his bio on the Pro Football Hall of Fame site, George Halas finished with 318 regular-season wins and 324 total victories, which were both long-standing NFL records until Don Shula surpassed them in 1993. His Chicago Bears teams won six NFL titles, the first coming in 1921 after the Staleys moved to Chicago.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognized George Halas when they enshrined him in the inaugural induction ceremony in 1963.

-Career history

As a player:

-Hammond All-Stars (1919)

-Decatur / Chicago Staleys / Bears (1920–1929)

-Chicago Stayms (1920)

As a coach:

-Decatur / Chicago Staleys / Bears (1920–1929, 1933–1942, 1946–1955, 1958–1967)
Head coach

As a staff member / executive:

-Decatur / Chicago Staleys / Bears (1921–1983)
Owner

-Chicago Bruins (1925–1931, 1939–1942)
Owner

-Newark Bears / Bombers (1939–1941)
Owner

-Akron Bears (1946)
Owner

-Executive profile at Pro Football Reference

Career highlights and awards

-8× NFL champion (1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963)

-2× AP NFL Coach of the Year (1963, 1965)

-NFL 1920s All-Decade Team

-NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

-Sporting News 1940s All-Decade Team

-Second-team All-Pro (1920)

-Chicago Bears No. 7 retired

-100 greatest Bears of All-Time

-Second-team All-Service (1918)

-Career NFL statistics

-Games played: 104

-Touchdowns: 10

Stats at Pro Football Reference

Head coaching record

-Regular season: 318–148–31 (.671)

-Postseason: 6–3 (.667)

-Career: 324–151–31 (.671)

Record at Pro Football Reference
George Halas. (2025, January 28). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Halas

Randall Wade Cunningham Sr. was born on March 27, 1963, in Santa Barbara, California. A dynamic and electrifying quarterback, Cunningham left an indelible mark on the NFL with his exceptional athleticism and playmaking ability, primarily during his tenures with the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings.  

College Career

Cunningham attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he showcased his versatility. While primarily known for his quarterbacking prowess later in his career, Cunningham earned national recognition as a punter for the UNLV Rebels. He was a first-team College Football All-America selection as a punter in both 1983 and 1984. His strong leg and overall athletic talent were evident early in his collegiate career, setting the stage for his transition to quarterback at the professional level. In 2016, his achievements at UNLV were recognized with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.  

Road to the Pro Game

Cunningham's exceptional athleticism and potential as a quarterback led the Philadelphia Eagles to select him in the second round (37th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft. Notably, he was the first quarterback chosen in that draft. Initially serving as a backup to veteran Ron Jaworski, Cunningham provided glimpses of his unique scrambling ability. In 1986, under new head coach Buddy Ryan, Cunningham gradually took over the starting role, despite playing behind a struggling offensive line that subjected him to a then-NFL record 72 sacks. By the 1987 season, Cunningham had firmly established himself as the Eagles' starting quarterback, captivating fans with his exciting dual-threat style of play.  

After 11 seasons in Philadelphia, marked by Pro Bowl selections and highlight-reel plays, Cunningham retired after the 1995 season. However, his passion for the game drew him back, and he joined the Minnesota Vikings in 1997. There, he reunited with former Eagles receiver Cris Carter. In 1998, Cunningham enjoyed a career resurgence, leading the Vikings to a remarkable 15-1 regular-season record. His stellar performance included 34 touchdown passes and a league-leading 106.0 passer rating, making him the first black quarterback to lead the league in that category. The Vikings set an NFL record for most points scored in a season that year, but ultimately fell short in the NFC Championship Game. After a decline in performance and losing his starting job in 1999, he was released. Cunningham spent his final two seasons in backup roles with the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens before retiring for good.  

Football Legacy

Randall Cunningham revolutionized the quarterback position with his exceptional athleticism and improvisational skills. His ability to extend plays with his legs and deliver accurate passes made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and consistently ranked among the league's most exciting players. At the time of his final retirement, Cunningham held the NFL record for quarterback rushing yards. His electrifying playing style inspired a generation of quarterbacks who embraced mobility as a key component of their game. Beyond his on-field achievements, Cunningham became an ordained minister, demonstrating a significant personal transformation. His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame and his place in Eagles' franchise history solidify his lasting legacy as a true NFL icon.  

Accolades, Awards and Career Stats

College:

-2x First-team All-American (Punter, 1983, 1984)

-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2016)

Professional:

-4x Pro Bowl Selection (1988, 1990, 1992, 1998)  

-NFL Passer Rating Leader (1998)

-Minnesota Vikings Single-Season Record for Passing Touchdowns (34 in 1998)

Career Stats:

2,429 Completions
4,289 Attempts
29,979 Passing Yards
207 Passing Touchdowns
134 Interceptions
4,928 Rushing Yards
775 Rushing Attempts
35 Rushing Touchdowns

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com
Other info from NFL.com, Pro Football Researchers Association, and Wikipedia