LAKE FOREST, Illinois – Virginia Haras McCasky, who inherited the Chicago Bears from his father George Haras, has shunned the spotlight for more than 40 years as a major owner. She was 102 years old.
McCaskey’s family announced that he passed away Thursday through his team. She has owned a bear since her father passed away on October 31, 1983.
“We are sad to say that Virginia Haras McCasky has a long, full of faith and knows that she has the love of her life on earth. I’m comforting,” the family said. “She has guided the Bears for 40 years and is based on every business decision about what’s best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans.”
Like his father, co-founder of the NFL, McCaskey held the team to the family’s hands. She gave her eldest son, Michael McCausky, who served as chairman until he was taken over by his brother George McCausky in 2011, with the title of operational management and president.
During her stewardship, the Bears won the Super Bowl in 1986, losing 21 years later.
“Virginia Haras McCutsky, the Chicago Bears patriarch and daughter of NFL founder George Haras, leaves behind a legacy of class, dignity and humanity,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. stated in. “Faith, family, football was her north star in that order, and she always lived with the simple adage of “doing the right thing.” The bear that her father started means the world to her and he is proud that she has continued to run a family business with such dedication and passion.
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Kern said in a statement that the NFL “lost the legend.”
“We wish peace and comfort to everyone in the McCutsky family and the Chicago Bears organization when Virginia Haras McCutsky dies,” Kern said. “The Bears were my first love of football. Years later, it was my great privilege to learn from Mrs. McCutsky and her family, who explored the future in the NFL. Mrs. McCutsky is all right. Her focus has been on the way, and her family and people in her life have begun to respect her legacy, but her positive impact on our game and leagues will last forever.”
Halas’ two children older McCaskey never expected to take charge of himself. Her brother, George “Mug” Haras Jr., was groomed to take over the team, but died suddenly in 1979 from a heart attack.
McCasky assumed ownership after her father’s death in 1983, and her late husband, Ed McCasky, replaced Harass as chairman. Shortly afterwards, she handed over control to Michael, the eldest of 11 children.
“I think it’s important that everyone in the family remembers that they haven’t really done anything to win this,” McCasky said in a rare 2006 interview. Custodians, and we want to pass it on in the best possible way.
McCaskey’s official title was Secretary of the Board of Directors. Despite her general handoff approach and low public profile, she occasionally exercised the ultimate authority over team decisions as family patriarch.
One of them was involved in a 1987 lawsuit brought by the children of “Mag” Hara. A more recent reminder was that George McCuskey announced the firing of manager Mark Trestman and general manager Phil Emery at a press conference, and asked him to explain the role of his mother in the process. I came on the moon.
He paused and struggled to explain just 5-11 season and her misfortune, and the team generally waned a waning fate.
“She’s mad,” George McCasky said. “We cannot imagine a 91-year-old woman to which that explanation applies, but in this case we cannot think of a more accurate explanation.
“Virginia McCutsky was on this planet for eight of the Bears’ nine championships, and she wants more,” he added after a while. “She feels that it’s too long since the end (Super Bowl victory) and the dissatisfaction is shared by her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She’s tired of mediocrity …”
Virginia McCasky came honestly to her fandom. According to the family, she often did not serve dessert on Sundays when the bear was defeated. In the same 2006 interview, she recalled that she was in the first playoff game in league history at the age of nine.
The Bears and Portsmouth Spartans finished the 1932 season with their first tie in first place, so the league added a game to determine the champion. Due to the snow, the game moved indoors to the old Chicago Stadium, with the Bears playing 9-0 on an 80-yard field heading towards the wall.
“I remember not saving the ticket stub, but I remember one of my cousins saving him,” McCaskey said. “We sat on the second balcony and the ticket price was $1.25.
“I took it to one of the Super Bowls and showed Pete Roselle, but I don’t know what happened after that,” she added. “But that’s fine.”
Her tenure as Bears owner included the establishment of the Bears Care Program in 2005. Bears Care said it has issued subsidies totaling more than $31.5 million to 225 qualifying agencies to improve the quality of life for people in the Chicago area. A disadvantaged child and his family. Bears Care also supported a health awareness program focusing on breast and ovarian cancer.
McCasky had 11 children, eight sons and three daughters. She was survived by her sons Patrick, Edward Jr., George, Richard, Brian, Joseph, and daughters Ellen Tonquest, Mary and Anne Catron. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
AP communication has contributed to this report.
