Chicago Bears Research Papers

The Chicago Bears were not always the Chicago Bears; they first began as the Decatur Staleys. The Chicago Bears had many things that helped them be a successful team. The success of this franchise can be contributed to dedicated coaches, talented players, outstanding fields and teams with Super Bowl hopes. The Chicago Bears that know today were not always the Chicago Bears. The Bears originated in Decatur, Illinois. The first year of this franchise was in 1920 when they were called the Decatur Staley’s. Then in 1921, the owner Staley Starch company gave George Halas $5,000 to move the Decatur Staleys to Chicago(sportsecyclopedia.com). That is when the Decatur Staleys changed their name to Chicago Staleys. At this point, the Chicago

Halas record for his third decade of coaching from 1946-1955 included seventy-five wins forty-two losses and two ties(sportsecyclopedia.com). Halas final years of coaching were 1958-1967 where his record concluded with seventy-five wins fifty-three losses and six ties (sportsecyclopedia.com). Halas retired from coaching in 1968 after forty seasons with the Chicago Bears. His combined total was three hundred nineteen wins and one hundred forty-eight losses thirty-one ties, setting the all time victories record(sportsecyclopedia.com). Halas retirement was followed by a string of short term coaches. Jim Dooley from 1968-1971, Abe Gibron 1972-1974, Jack Pardee 1975-1977, and Neil Armstrong 1978-1981(sportsecyclopedia.com). This long stretch of short term coaches led to many bittersweet seasons of near championships and hard losses. The Bears did not have a consistent coach until Mike Ditka held a ten year term as coach from 1982-1992 with a record of one hundred and six wins sixty-two losses. Mike Ditka is former coach and player. He is the only person who won a championship as a player and be head coach of a team. He started his career in 1961 when he played for the Bears as a tight end. He played for the

Some of those people have received awards that include offensive player of the year, offensive rookie of the year, super bowl MVP, defensive rookie of the year, defensive player of the year, MVP pro bowl and MVP NFL. In 1977 the bears running back Walter Payton, received the title Offensive Player of the Year. That year he rushed for 1,825 yards(Gillian). Payton followed this by another impressive season in 1978 where he rushed for 1,395 yards (Gillian). Payton is the NFL’s all time leading rusher with 16,726 yards(Chicago Bears History-NFL football). Walter Payton played from 1975-1987 (Gillian).Walter Payton was signed by the Bears in 1975 as a running back. He was the running back who was known for speed. Walter Payton was inducted into the Hall of fame in 1993(sportsecyclopedia.com). Walter Payton became really sick in 1999 and died that year due to cancer(sportsecyclopedia.com). When Walter Payton died in 1999 it took a big hit on the Bears he was part of their family(sportsecyclopedia.com). In his honor they named the indoor practice facility after him(sportsecyclopedia.com). Bears took a big hit when he died and had an awful season in 2000 they won five games and lost eleven (sportsecyclopedia.com). Some people who won offensive rookie of the year were Mike Ditka tight end 1961, Ron Bull running back 1962, Galye Sayers running back 1965, and Anthony Thomas running back 2001(sportsecyclopedia.com).