East Coast

George "Papa Bear" Halas

George "Papa Bear" Halas

The Chicago Bears began with American football coach, owner, and NFL administrator George “Papa Bear” Halas, born in Chicago, Illinois to Slovak immigrants. Initially, however, Halas began as a player who joined the Navy during World War I, before becoming a player-coach. Throughout his life, “Papa Bear” Halas invested his life into football, winning six NFL championships as head coach while practicing many innovative routines that allowed him and his team to win.