NFL Team History- the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears franchise, originally known as the Decatur Staleys, was established by George Halas in 1920. Halas was not only the owner of the team, he also served as the head coach.

The Staleys franchise enjoyed instantaneous success as they completed their introductory season with a record of 10 wins, 1 loss, and 2 ties. In 1921, the Staleys won the championship.

The Decatur Staleys would later become known as Chicago Staleys before adopting the Chicago Bears identity on January 28th, 1922.

After struggling throughout the 1929 season, George Halas replaced himself with Ralph Wilson as head coach. Two years later, the Chicago Bears shutout the Portsmouth Spartans at Chicago Stadium en route to what was considered the National Football League Championship Game. This was the first American football game played indoors at Chicago Stadium.

The Bears became the ascendant team in the NFL after winning sixteen consecutive games. The extensive winning streak ended when the Boston Redskins shutout the Bears 10-0.

The Bears continued to materialize at one of the NFL's most revered organizations after they won the NFL Championship in 1933 by defeating the New York Giants 23-21. They nearly completed an undefeated season in 1934. They would face their first disappointment of the season by losing to their long-time foes, the New York Giants, at Polo Grounds in the NFL Championship Game. The final score was 30-13.

The Bears hosted the Redskins at Wrigley Field for the 1937 NFL Championship Game, only to fall short 28-21.

Under the leadership of star quarterback Sid Luckman, the Bears would return to the NFL Championship Game in 1940. In front of an audience of 36,034, the Bears demoralized the Washington Redskins by an astounding score of 73-0 in Washington, D.C.

In 1942, Chicago Bears owner and founder George Halas joined the United State Navy. In spite of the absent owner, the Bears played in yet another NFL Championship Game. However, it was payback time as the Washington Redskins controlled the Bears offense and defeated them by a score of 14-6.

The Bears continued to prosper throughout the 1940's as they captured the NFL Championship in 1943 and 1946.

Former Chicago Cardinals star, John 'Paddy' Driscoll, became the head coach in 1956, replacing Halas. Driscoll led the Bears to the NFL Championship Game at Yankee Stadium, only to get pounded by the New York Giants by a score of 47-7.

The Bears on-field performance started to wane as the 1950's came to a close. They returned to elite status in 1963 after defeating the New York Giants 14-10 in the NFL Championship Game. This would be the final championship for the Bears under the headship of George Halas.

Notable players such as defensive specialist Dick Butkus and running back Gale Sayers were drafted in 1965.

Halas would resign in 1968 as the most victorious coach in the NFL with 324 wins.

After years of playing their home games at the storied Wrigley Field, the Bears moved to their new stadium, Soldier Field, in 1971. Nevertheless, their on-field woes continued.

After fourteen successive substandard seasons, the Bears finally clinched a playoff berth in 1977.

On January 1st, 1982, the Bears hired Mike Ditka as head coach. Ditka would lead the Bears to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1985.

Mournfully, the Chicago Bears owner and founder, George Halas, passed away at the age of 88 on October 31st, 1983. His daughter Virginia McCaskey assumed ownership of the franchise.

In 1985, the Bears would clinch their first NFC Central Division title after posting a remarkable record of 15 wins and 1 loss, earning them a first-round bye in the post-season. Their first playoff opponent was the Washington Redskins. The Bears would conquer their first playoff victory since 1963 as they defeated the Redskins 23-19. The Bears superiority continued as they shutout the Los Angeles Rams 24-0 in the NFC Championship Game.

The Bears would face the AFC Champions, New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. The game was incontrovertibly one-sided as the Bears pummeled the Patriots 46-10. For the first time, the Chicago Bears were The Super Bowl Champions.

The team composed a rap song entitled 'The Super Bowl Shuffle'. Key components from the Super Bowl winning team were running back Walter Payton, quarterback Jim McMahon, linebacker Mike Singletary, and defensive lineman William 'Refrigerator' Perry, who was sometimes utilized as a full-back.

After the 1987 season, running back Walter Payton announced his retirement from the NFL. Ultimately, his jersey number '34' was retired by the Chicago Bears franchise.

The Bears concluded the 1988 season with a record of 12 wins and 4 losses, however, any aspirations of a second Super Bowl appearance was crushed by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

In 1990, Andy McKenna and Patrick G. Ryan acquired 20 percent of ownership of the Chicago Bears.

After the 1992 season, linebacker Mike Singletary retired, and Mike Ditka was removed as the head coach and replaced with Dave Wannstedt.

The Bears became the first NFL franchise to win 600 games as they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 23, 1997. Two years later, Hall Of Fame running back Walter Payton passed away at the age of 45.

The Chicago Bears' NFC Central Division title in 2001 was the team's first since 1990, as they accumulated 13 wins and 3 losses. Furthermore, it was their first post-season berth since the 1994 season. Unfortunately, the Bears lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 31-19 in what was their final game at the original Soldier Field.

The following season, the Bears played their home games at Memorial Stadium, home of the University Of Illinois Fighting Illini.

The Bears hosted their inaugural game at the much-maligned new Soldier Field on September 29th, 2003 against the Green Bay Packers for a Monday Night showdown. The Bears would lose to their long-time rivals.

In 2004, the Bears hired Lovie Smith as their new head coach. In 2005, they won the NFC North Division title, their first Division crown since 2001. Additionally, they hosted their first playoff game at the new Soldier Field, only to lose to the Carolina Panthers.

In 2006, the Chicago Bears won their second consecutive NFC North Division title. After defeating the New Orleans Saints 31-19 in the 2006 NFC Championship bout, the Bears earned the right to face the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI. The Colts would defeat the Bears 29-17.

Lovie Smith was the first African-American head coach to lead an NFL team to the Super Bowl. Colts head coach Tony Dungy became the first African-American coach to win the Super Bowl.