Chicago (AFP) – Virginia Halas McCaskey, principal owner of the NFL Chicago Bears and the daughter of team founder George Halas, died Thursday at age 102, the Bears announced. McCaskey was the oldest and longest-tenured owner in all US major league sports, having taken ownership of the Bears when her father died in 1983.
“While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on earth,” the family said in a statement. “She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff, and fans.”
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McCaskey became the NFL’s oldest owner upon the death of former Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson in 2014, and in 2019, she became the NFL’s longest-tenured owner with the death of Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill.
McCaskey was eight years old when she attended the NFL’s first championship game in 1932. In 1986, she watched the Bears win their first Super Bowl title, beating New England 46-10 for their first NFL crown since 1963.
McCaskey’s son, George McCaskey, is chairman of the Bears.
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