Bear boss Virginia Halas McCaskey dies in 102
Lake Forest, Illinois – Virginia Halas McCaskey inherited the Chicago Bear from his father George Halas, but avoided it during his forty years as chief owner People's attention. She is 102.
McCaskey's family announced her death Thursday through a team. She has possessed bears since her father died on October 31, 1983.
The family said: “While we feel sad, we feel comforted to know that Virginia Halas McCaskey has lived a long, fulfilling, faith-filled life now full of her for the earth. Love of life. “She has directed the Bears for forty years and will make every business decision depend on the best suited Bears players, coaches, staff and fans.”
Like her father, the NFL co-founder, McCasky puts the team in the hands of the family. She gave her eldest son, Michael McCaskey, who gave control of operations and the title of president, who served as chairman until 2011 by Brother George McCaskey Succession.
During her administration, the Bears won the Super Bowl in 1986 and lost the second time after 21 years.
“Virginia Halas McCaskey, daughter of NFL founder George Halas, said in a statement ) Leaves the legacy of class, dignity and humanity. ” “Faith, family and football – in that order – is her North Star, her words live in a simple way, always 'do the right thing'. Her father began The bear means the world to her and he will be proud to continue the family business with her dedication and enthusiasm.
Of Halas' two children, McCaskey never thought he would find himself responsible. Her brother George “The Cup” Halas Jr.
McCaskey died of his father in 1983, and his late husband Ed McCaskey succeeded Halas as chairman. Soon after, she handed over control to Michael, the eldest of her 11 children.
“I think all of our families remember that we really didn't do anything to make money,” McCasky said in a rare interview in 2006. “We wanted to get through the best way.”
McCasky's official title is secretary of the board. Despite her generally low attitude and public popularity, she occasionally exercises her ultimate authority in team decision-making as the patriarch of the family.
One of them involved a 1987 lawsuit filed by the children of Halas, who was settled by stock acquisitions. The most recent reminder was in December 2014, when George McCaskey announced at a press conference that Marc Trestman coach and general manager Phil Emory Emery) was fired and asked to describe his mother's role in the process.
He paused and tried hard to describe her misfortune for just reaching the 5-11 season and the team's usual fate.
“She was angry,” said George McCaskey. “I can't think of a 91-year-old woman who this description applies, but in this case, I can't think of a more accurate description.
He added: “Virginia McCaskey has played eight titles in the Bears' nine tournaments and she wants more.” “She feels it's been too long since the last time (the Super Bowl win) , her children, her grandson and great-grandson shared this dissatisfaction. .”
To be honest, Virginia McCaskey was fed by her craze. According to family, she often doesn’t offer desserts on Sundays when the bear is lost. In the same 2006 interview, she recalled her first playoff game in league history when she was 9 years old.
The Bears and Portsmouth Spartans ended the 1932 season in No. 1, so the league added a game to determine the championship. The game was moved indoors to the Old Chicago Stadium due to snow, and the Bears won a 9-0 game on the 80-yard field on the wall.
“I remember I didn't save the ticket stub, but one of my cousins saved him,” McCasky said. “We sat on the second balcony and the ticket price was $1.25.
“I took it to a Super Bowl to show (former commissioner) Pete Rozelle, and then I don't know what happened after that,” she added. “But that's OK.”
Her tenure as Bears owner included the establishment of the Bears Care Program in 2005. Adverse children and their families. Bear Care also supports health awareness programs focusing on breast and ovarian cancer.
McCasky has 11 children, 8 sons and 3 daughters. Her sons Patrick, Edward, George, Richard, Brian and Joseph, and daughters Ellen Tonquest, Mary Survived with Anne Catron. She also has 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.