What If George Halas Never Owned The Chicago Bears?
George Stanley Halas is arguably the most iconic name in the NFL. He represented the Decatur Staleys at the famous meeting in Canton, OH, when team representatives created the American Professional Football Association in 1920. In 1922, the team that began as the Decatur Staleys officially changed their name to the Chicago Bears. That same year, the APFA changed its name to the National Football League.
George Halas was there for it all. Life can be strange, and life for the youngster from a small Bohemian neighborhood in Chicago was no different. A series of events led Halas to his place in football immortality, and the football world certainly could have missed seeing Halas.
George was a gifted athlete. He played baseball and football at Crane Tech High School. After graduating high school, he secured a jog at Western Electric, where he worked for one year. In 1914, he set his sights on college. His choice was the University of Illinois. At Illinois, Halas continued his two-sport career. When he came home for the summer, he returned to his job in the payroll department at Western Electric and also played on their company baseball team.
The SS Eastland Tragedy
Each year, Western Electric hosted an annual picnic. Their baseball team was scheduled to play a doubleheader. The outing was held in Michigan City, Indiana. Halas and his friends bought tickets for a ride to Michigan City on the SS Eastland. Halas arrived late for boarding the tour ship, and upon arrival, Halas was horrified to see the Eastland had listed onto its side. 844 passengers and crew lost their lives that day.
The next day, two fraternity brothers from Illinois came to the Halas family home to commiserate with the family. They were shocked to see George alive! A roster of Western Electric employees booked on the Eastland had Halas’ name on it, and his fraternity brothers feared the worst.
Baseball Career
After college, George Halas served in the Navy for one year. Before his service commitment, Halas was invited to attend spring training for the New York Yankees by scout Bob Connery. Halas lined a triple to left-center in a game vs. the Brooklyn Dodgers. Halas felt a pain in his hip when he got to his feet after sliding into third base. The injury would linger into the season.
Halas was added to the big league roster and played right field for the Yanks. His major league career ended after the Yankees played in Chicago. He was sent to their minor league team in Minnesota. The following year, Halas was offered an invitation back, but at a reduced salary. Halas decided to return home to Chicago.
History Is Made
In March of 1920, Halas received a phone call that would change his life. He was offered a job at the Staley Starch Company in Decatur, Illinois. But the incentives included playing on their company baseball team and managing their new football team.
Later that year, George Halas was present in Canton, Ohio representing the Decatur Staley in the newly formed American Professional Football Association. Despite a first-year record of 10-1-2, the team was losing money. After their first game of the 1921 season, Owner A. E. Staley called Halas to his office. To George’s amazement, Staley offered Halas control of the football team and suggested he relocate to Chicago. The team had seen their best revenue playing in Chicago the previous year.
Staley’s only request was to keep the name Chicago Staleys for one year.
We may have never had the juggernaut that is the NFL had it not been for these chain of events in the life of Papa Bear. but the NFL is not what it is today without him!
New and Notes
After today’s practice, the team has a day off Thursday.
Tickets are still available for Sunday’s Family Fest at Soldier Field. For more information click here https://www.chicagobears.com/fan-zone/family-fest