Chicago Bears
George Halas organized the Chicago Bear’s football team in 1919 as an independent football club. In 1920, the Chicago Bears joined the National Football League (NFL), making their home in Chicago, Illinois. In 1970, They became part of the National Football Conference (NFC) central division, until 2002, when they joined the northern division.
Since 1983, Virginia Halas McCaskey is listed as the owner of the Chicago Bears, although the Halas family has had a vested interest in the Bears since their beginning in the 1920′s. The current chairman is Michael McCaskey with Jerry Angelo as General Manager and Lovie Smith as head coach.
Before the advent of the annual World Championship of Football (now known as the Super Bowl), the Chicago Bears had an impressive showing at Championship games, winning 8 times between 1921 and 1963. The Bears have appeared in two Super Bowls (1985 and 2006) and have won once in 1985. However, the team is consistent in making it into playoff spots having had 24 appearances in playoff games since 1933.
The famous Wrigley field was home to the Chicago Bears from 1921 until 1970, when their new stadium Soldier Field was built in 1971. This was their home field until a new Soldier Field was finished in 2003, (except for the 2002 season when they played at Memorial Stadium).
More than 30 Chicago Bear’s players have been inducted into the Football Hall of Fame, including head coach Mike Ditka (who also played Tight End in 1961-63). Two of the most famous inductees are Dick Butkus (Linebacker) and Walter Payton (Running Back).
The Chicago Bears were a subject of parodies on the Saturday Night Live TV series during the 1980′s which lent the moniker ‘Da Bears’ to the team. The parodies were mostly centered on the inability of the Bear’s to win a championship. Even though they had remarkably had great seasons their shot at a Super Bowl trophy was not realized until the Super Bowl XX, where the Chicago Bears soundly defeated the New England Patriots in a bone-crushing win of 46 over 10.
Probably one of the most memorable ‘characters’ of the Chicago Bears was Defensive Tackle William ‘Refrigerator’ Perry, also known as the ‘Fridge’. This 320-pound ‘spectacle’ enlivened the fans when he barreled through the line as a blocker or carrying the ball. His large frame did well to support Payton as a blocker during the regular season.
In their appearance at Super Bowl XLI, the Chicago Bears were the underdog to the Indianapolis Colts by 6 1/2 points. The final score was 29-17, Colts. This was the rainiest Super Bowl in History and although the Chicago Bears put forward their best game, they just could not pull it off, despite having a great regular season and strong showing in the Super Bowl.
