Virginia McCaskey, the principal owner of the Chicago Bears who inherited the team from her father George Halas, passed away at the age of 102. McCaskey held the operational control of the team but gave the title of president to her son, Michael, who was later succeeded by her other son, George. During her tenure, the Bears won a Super Bowl in 1986 and reached the Super Bowl in 2006. The team is currently valued at $6.4 billion.
McCaskey was not expecting to be in charge of the Bears as her brother was being groomed for the role before his sudden death in 1979. Despite her low public profile, McCaskey occasionally intervened in team decisions as the family matriarch. She was remembered for her dedication to the team and her dissatisfaction with mediocrity. McCaskey was a dedicated fan who held her family responsible for carrying forward the team’s legacy.
Her ownership also led to the establishment of Bears Care, which has issued grants totaling more than $31.5 million to various agencies in the Chicago area. McCaskey is survived by six sons, three daughters, 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Her legacy is not only the success of the Bears but also her commitment to community service and her family’s dedication to the team’s continued success.
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