As Bears fans know, you only have to look to the team’s game jersey’s to see just the kind of impact that George “Papa Bear” Halas had on the franchise. Heck, without Halas, it’s a fact that the Bears simply wouldn’t exist.
The only player on our list to literally found his own professional football team, Halas brought the Bears into existence after the move of the Decatur Staleys. Following the move to Chicago, Halas changed the team name to “Bears” in 1922 and it’s safe to say that it, as well as the team, has stood the test of time.
Halas played on both sides of the ball, as a wide receiver and defensive end, all while coaching the club in its early days. But it’s what he did following his playing career as a coach and executive that make him one of the most legendary figures in franchise history.
Under Halas’ direction, the Bears developed into a dynasty in the early-to-mid 1940’s, and were aptly given the nickname “Monsters of the Midway.” His offensive innovation via the T-formation with quarterback Sid Luckman led Chicago to a 73-0 drubbing of Washington in the 1940 NFL championship game.
Halas went on to have one of the most storied careers of anyone to ever be associated with professional football. He is seen to this day as a pioneer and innovator, one whose fingerprints are still all over the NFL wherever you look. It’s why Halas will always be one of the greatest figures in Bears history.