Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey dies at 102

Virginia McCaskey, proprietor of the Chicago Bears and girl of NFL co-founder George Halas, died Thursday astatine 102.

McCaskey’s death was announced by her family. Her nonstop origin of decease was not reported.

“While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is present with the emotion of her beingness connected earth,” the McCaskey household said. “She guided the Bears for 4 decades and based each concern determination connected what was champion for Bears players, coaches, unit and fans.”

A uncommon pistillate successful powerfulness successful the NFL, McCaskey preferred to stay successful the inheritance of Bears operations. While she was intensely invested successful the team’s success, she delegated astir power to her precocious husband, Ed McCaskey, and their 11 children.

“Maybe I’m not competent, but Ed and I recovered the radical to bash the job,” she said successful 2007 aft the Bears won the NFC Championship Game and earned the close to play successful Super Bowl XLI.

Born Jan. 5, 1923, successful Chicago, Virginia Marion Halas ne'er expected to instrumentality implicit her family’s NFL franchise. Her father, George Halas, was 1 of the founders of the nascent nonrecreational league, and helium poured his bosom into its and his team’s success.

Virginia’s younger brother, George “Mugs” Halas Jr., was groomed for decades to tally the team. However, helium died of a shocking bosom attack successful December 1979. When George Sr. died 4 years later, the squad landed successful the hands of Virginia and Ed.

Virginia McCaskey, squad proprietor of the Chicago Bears is seen connected a play cart with her lad Michael McCaskey connected the tract arsenic they await the presumption of the George S. Halas trophy against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game January 21, 2007 astatine Soldier Field successful Chicago, Illinois. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Bears had astir contiguous success, winning the Super Bowl aft the 1985 season, but person since mostly struggled to scope those heights. During her clip successful charge, McCaskey remained committed to keeping the squad successful the family.

McCaskey is survived by 9 of her 11 children and galore grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by Ed successful 2003 and 2 of her sons, Tim and Michael.

With News Wire Services