Bear Goggles On
Fansided

The Retired Numbers of the Chicago Bears and the Men Behind Them

By Bryan Dietzler

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 04: A general view of a field goal by the Chicago Bears against the Detroit Lions on October 4, 2009 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 48-24. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO - OCTOBER 04: A general view of a field goal by the Chicago Bears against the Detroit Lions on October 4, 2009 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 48-24. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 05: A recently unveiled statue of George S. Halas resides outside Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 05: A recently unveiled statue of George S. Halas resides outside Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

George Halas

Retiring George Halas’ number seven is a no brainer. Not only did Halas found the Bears but he also played for the Bears during their earlier years. In fact, Halas scored a total of ten touchdowns during his playing career.

Halas coached the Bears for what seems like forever and turned them into a winner. Although he was known to pinch his pennies from time to time, Halas was able to bring in some great talent the Bears used to win the way that they did early on.

He was instrumental in bringing infamous players like Nagurski, McAfee, Red Grange and countless other top performers. Halas’ knack for finding good talent and putting it all together is virtually unmatched. Perhaps only Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots has the same talent evaluation skill that Halas had.

Halas was part of the inaugural Hall of Fame class. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could witness his team win the Super Bowl. But his legacy lives on and he will never be forgotten.

#28 Willie Galimore

Galimore had a very good career with the Chicago Bears and had even more to offer had his life not been cut short.

He rushed for a total 36 touchdowns (through the ground and in the air) to go along with 2985 yards on the ground with an average of 4.5 yards per carry.

He was one of the Bears’ best finds and had been called a player with a lot of potential and a possible franchise running back.

Late on the night of July 7th, 1964, near the Bears’ training camp in Rensselaer, Indiana, Galimore and another Bear’s player, Bo Farrington, were driving back from a player’s get together. The road that Galimore and Farrington were on had a turn that wasn’t clearly marked.

Not having a sign there marking the turn doomed the two young men.

They flew off the curve, the car flipped and both men were killed. The team took the news hard and it probably had a hand in the team playing so poorly that season.

Chicago ended the year, the year right after their championship in 1963, with a 5-9 record.

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