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_and_Harlon_Hill_Chicago_Bears.png" target="bbcode">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

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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 with the very evolution of professional football, leaving an indelible mark on the game we know and love today.

Starting as a versatile athlete in the early 1900s, Halas soon transitioned to coaching, leading teams with his innovative strategies and fierce competitiveness. He co-founded the Decatur Staleys (later renamed the Chicago Bears) in 1920, becoming owner, coach, and even player at times. He revolutionized the game with tactics like the T-formation and the "man in motion," forever changing the offensive landscape.

Halas wasn't just building a team; he was building a league. He was pivotal in establishing the National Football League (NFL) in 1920, serving as its president for multiple terms and shaping its rules and structure. He was a shrewd businessman, securing television deals and driving the league's financial growth.

His influence extended beyond the field. He advocated for player safety, fought for racial equality, and even served as a Navy officer during World War II. He became a symbol of integrity and leadership, earning the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike.