Chicago Bears facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chicago Bears |
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 Current season |
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| Basic info | |||||||||||||
| Established | September 17, 1920 | ||||||||||||
| Stadium | Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois |
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| Headquartered | Halas Hall Lake Forest, Illinois |
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| Colors | Navy blue, orange, white |
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| Fight song | "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" | ||||||||||||
| Mascot | Staley Da Bear | ||||||||||||
| Personnel | |||||||||||||
| Owner(s) | George McCaskey | ||||||||||||
| CEO | Kevin Warren | ||||||||||||
| President | Kevin Warren | ||||||||||||
| General manager | Ryan Poles | ||||||||||||
| Head coach | Ben Johnson | ||||||||||||
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| Team history | |||||||||||||
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Temporary stadiums
1970 due to renovations to Wrigley Field:
2002 due to renovations to Soldier Field:
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| League / conference affiliations | |||||||||||||
National Football League (1920–present)
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| Championships | |||||||||||||
League championships: 9
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Conference championships: 4
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Division championships: 20
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| Playoff appearances (29) | |||||||||||||
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The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team located in Chicago. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. The Bears are one of the oldest teams in the NFL, starting in 1920. They play their home games at Soldier Field in Chicago and have their main offices at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois.
The team has won nine NFL Championships, including one Super Bowl in 1985. They hold records for the most players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the most retired jersey numbers. The Bears have a long-standing rivalry with the Green Bay Packers. Their most famous recent success was in the 1980s, led by coach Mike Ditka, when they won Super Bowl XX in the 1985 season. They also reached another Super Bowl in the 2006 season, but lost.
Since 2006, the Bears have faced challenges, with many different starting quarterbacks and coaches. In September 2025, the team was valued at $8.9 billion.
Contents
- The Chicago Bears: A Team History
- Starting in Decatur: The Early Years (1919–1939)
- Becoming the "Monsters of the Midway" (1940s)
- Later Halas Era and New Stars (1950s–1968)
- Challenges and Walter Payton's Era (1969–1982)
- Super Bowl Champions! (1983–1985)
- After the Super Bowl and New Coaches (1986–2012)
- Recent Years and New Leadership (2013–Present)
- Who Owns the Bears?
- Team Sponsors
- Team Logos and Uniforms
- Team Spirit and Community
- Team Rivalries
- Team Facilities
- Bears on the Air
- Team Records and Achievements
- Famous Players and Coaches
- Current Coaching Staff
- Images for kids
- See also
The Chicago Bears: A Team History
Starting in Decatur: The Early Years (1919–1939)
The team began in Decatur, Illinois, in 1919 as the Decatur Staleys. It was a company team for the A. E. Staley food starch company. In 1920, George Halas and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman were hired to manage the team. That year, they joined the new American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the NFL.
In 1921, the team moved to Chicago and became the Chicago Staleys. Halas and Sternaman took full control. In 1922, Halas changed the name to the Bears. They moved into Wrigley Field, sharing it with the Chicago Cubs baseball team. The Bears chose orange and blue colors, similar to Halas's college, the University of Illinois.
The Bears were very successful in their early years. They won the NFL Championship in 1921. They had a strong rivalry with the Chicago Cardinals, another early Chicago team. The Bears also started a famous rivalry with the Green Bay Packers in 1921.
A famous player named Red Grange joined the Bears in 1925. His arrival helped the team attract many more fans to games. This led to a new NFL rule about signing college players. In 1932, the Bears won the first-ever NFL playoff game against the Portsmouth Spartans. This game was played indoors due to a blizzard, a first for American football. This success led the NFL to create a championship game. The Bears won the first official NFL Championship in 1933 against the New York Giants.
Becoming the "Monsters of the Midway" (1940s)
From 1940 to 1947, quarterback Sid Luckman led the Bears to four NFL Championship wins. During this time, the team earned the nickname "Monsters of the Midway". They also got their famous "wishbone-C" helmet logo and a theme song.
One of their most famous wins was a 73–0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game. This is still an NFL record for the biggest win. This victory was partly due to a new offensive strategy called the "T-formation," created by George Halas.
Later Halas Era and New Stars (1950s–1968)
After a few less successful years, the Bears won their eighth NFL Championship in 1963. The team featured talented players like Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, and Brian Piccolo. Piccolo's story was even made into a movie called Brian's Song in 1971. Sadly, Butkus and Sayers had their careers shortened by injuries.
George Halas retired as coach in 1967. He was involved with the NFL for 60 years, an amazing record. He was also one of the first people inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. The NFL honored him by naming the NFC Championship trophy the George Halas Memorial Trophy.
Challenges and Walter Payton's Era (1969–1982)
After the NFL merged with the American Football League, the Bears faced some tough seasons. In 1975, they drafted Walter Payton, a running back from Jackson State University. Payton became a superstar, winning the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 1977. He broke Jim Brown's NFL rushing record in 1984 and was known as "Sweetness" by fans. He passed away in 1999 at age 45.
After George Halas's death in 1983, his daughter, Virginia McCaskey, became the team's main owner. Her husband, Ed McCaskey, became chairman. Virginia was a very important figure for the team for many years. She passed away in February 2025 at 102 years old.
Super Bowl Champions! (1983–1985)
Mike Ditka, a former Bears player, became the head coach in 1982. His tough personality earned him the nickname "Iron Mike." In the 1985 season, the Bears had an incredible year. They dominated the NFL with their special "46 defense" and won Super Bowl XX. They even recorded a famous rap song called "The Super Bowl Shuffle"! Their only loss that season was against the Miami Dolphins.
After the Super Bowl and New Coaches (1986–2012)
After their Super Bowl win, the Bears remained competitive but did not reach another Super Bowl under Ditka. The 1990s were a challenging time for the team.
In 2004, Lovie Smith became the head coach. He brought a strong defensive strategy to Chicago. In 2005, the Bears won their division and made the playoffs. The next season, in 2006, they reached Super Bowl XLI but lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
In 2009, the Bears made a big trade to get quarterback Jay Cutler. In 2010, they signed key players like Julius Peppers. They reached the NFC Championship Game in 2010 but lost to the Green Bay Packers. In 2012, the Bears had a great start but missed the playoffs, and Lovie Smith was fired.
Recent Years and New Leadership (2013–Present)
After Lovie Smith, the Bears had several head coaches, including Marc Trestman (2013–2014), John Fox (2015–2017), and Matt Nagy (2018–2021). Nagy led the team to a division title in 2018 and was named Coach of the Year. However, they lost in the playoffs.
In 2021, the Bears drafted quarterback Justin Fields. After the 2021 season, Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace were fired.
In 2022, Ryan Poles became the new general manager, and Matt Eberflus was hired as head coach. The team struggled in 2022 and 2023, finishing last in their division. However, they gained the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In 2024, the Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. Coach Eberflus was fired in November 2024. In January 2025, Ben Johnson became the new head coach. He is known for his creative offense and aims to develop Caleb Williams. The Bears had a successful 2025 season, winning the NFC North with an 11–6 record. They won a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers but lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the next round.
Who Owns the Bears?
The Chicago Bears are mainly owned by the family of founder George Halas. His daughter, Virginia McCaskey, was the principal owner until her passing in February 2025. Now, her son, George McCaskey, is the team's chairman. The McCaskey family controls most of the team's ownership.
In September 2025, a small part of the team was sold, valuing the Bears at $8.9 billion. This makes them one of the most valuable teams in the NFL.
Team Sponsors
The Bears work with many companies. Some of their major sponsors include Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Miller Brewing Company, PNC Financial Services, United Airlines, Verizon, Xfinity, and Proven IT. They were the first NFL team to have a "presenting sponsor" for their season.
Team Logos and Uniforms
The Bears have used a few different logos over the years. When they were the Decatur Staleys, they used the company's logo. In 1940, they introduced a black bear running with a football.
In 1962, the team created their famous "wishbone-C" logo. This "C" is similar to the one used by the University of Chicago Maroons. It became a key part of their helmets.
In 2023, the team made their orange bear head logo, which they had used since 1999, their main logo. The "C" logo is still used on their helmets and at the 50-yard line of their home field.
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Primary logo (1962–1973)
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Primary logo (1974–2022)
Secondary logo (2023–present) -
Wordmark logo (1974–present)
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Secondary logo (1999–2022)
Primary logo (2023–present)
Team Spirit and Community
Mascots and Cheerleaders
Before 2003, the Bears had unofficial mascots like "Rocky" and "Bearman" who cheered on the team. In 2003, the official mascot, Staley Da Bear, was introduced. Staley is an anthropomorphic bear with a No. 00 jersey. His name comes from the team's founder, A. E. Staley. Staley entertains fans and visits charity events.
The team also had a cheerleading squad called the Chicago Honey Bears from 1976 to 1985.
Giving Back to the Community
The Bears are involved in many community efforts. Since 1998, they have partnered with 'A Safe Place,' a domestic violence shelter. Bears employees have helped renovate the shelter and the team provides financial support.
Team Rivalries
The Bears have some of the oldest and most exciting rivalries in the NFL!
Divisional Rivals
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are the Bears' biggest rivals, a rivalry that started in 1920. The Packers currently lead the series. They have met three times in the playoffs, with the Bears winning in 1941 and 2025, and the Packers winning in 2011.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions and Bears have played each other since 1930. The Bears lead this series. Their rivalry became more intense in 1932 when they played the first-ever NFL postseason game, which the Bears won.
Minnesota Vikings
The Bears first played the Minnesota Vikings in the Vikings' very first game. The Vikings won that game and currently lead the series.
Historic Rivalries
Arizona Cardinals
The Bears and the Arizona Cardinals have the oldest continuous matchup in the NFL. Both teams were part of the league's first season in 1920. It started as a rivalry between two Chicago teams before the Cardinals moved to St. Louis and then Arizona. The Bears lead this series.
New York Giants
The Bears and New York Giants have played in six NFL Championship games, more than any other matchup. The Bears won four of these. One famous game was the "Sneakers Game" in 1934, which the Giants won.
San Francisco 49ers
The Bears and San Francisco 49ers were frequent opponents in the Western Conference. Their rivalry grew in the 1980s when both teams were strong playoff contenders. The 49ers currently lead the series.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bears have a historic rivalry with their former division foe, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears currently lead this series.
Washington Commanders
The Bears and Washington Commanders have a significant historical rivalry dating back to 1932. They often met in the NFL Championship Game. The most memorable game was in 1940, when the Bears beat the Commanders 73–0, the largest win in NFL history.
Minor Rivalries
Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams
The Rams and Bears played in the same division for many years. The Bears currently lead this series.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins and Bears have played fewer times, but some games were very memorable. The most famous was in 1985, when Miami gave the undefeated Bears their only regular-season loss that year.
Defunct Rivalries
The Bears also had strong rivalries with early NFL teams like the Rock Island Independents and the Canton Bulldogs.
Team Facilities
Soldier Field: The Bears' Home Stadium
Soldier Field in Chicago is the home of the Bears. They moved there in 1971 after their old stadium, Wrigley Field, became too small for NFL standards. Wrigley Field had been their home for 50 years.
In 2002, Soldier Field was rebuilt, keeping only its outer walls. Many people call the updated stadium "New Soldier Field." During the rebuild in 2002, the Bears played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Some critics have called the new stadium an "eyesore."
The Bears have been looking for a new stadium for many years. In 2021, they bought the Arlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In 2024, they shared plans for a $4.7 billion domed stadium near Soldier Field. However, due to a lack of public funding, the Bears announced in May 2025 that they planned to build in Arlington Heights. In December 2025, the team started looking at locations outside Illinois, including northwest Indiana, because state lawmakers were not prioritizing their stadium project. In February 2026, Indiana lawmakers even approved a bill to try and attract the Bears to build a stadium in Hammond, Indiana.
Halas Hall: The Team Headquarters
The team's main office and practice facility is Halas Hall, located in Lake Forest, Illinois. It is named after the team's founder, George Halas. The facility has been expanded over the years. The team also has a corporate office in downtown Chicago.
Bears on the Air
Radio Broadcasts
You can listen to Bears games on WMVP (1000 AM) with Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer. Spanish broadcasts are available on WRTO (1200 AM) and WVIV-FM (93.5 FM).
Television Broadcasts
Preseason games are shown on WFLD (channel 32). Most regular season games are also on WFLD through the NFL on Fox. Games against AFC teams are on WBBM-TV (CBS). Sunday Night games are on WMAQ-TV (NBC), and ESPN Monday Night Football games are on ESPN or WLS-TV (ABC).
Team Records and Achievements
Patrick Mannelly played the most seasons for the Bears with 16. Steve McMichael holds the record for most consecutive games played with 191. Walter Payton played 186 games, only missing one in 13 seasons!
Robbie Gould is the Bears' all-time leading scorer with 1,142 points. Walter Payton holds the team record for career rushing yards with 16,726. This was an NFL record until 2002.
The 1940 Chicago Bears team holds the NFL record for the biggest win, a 73–0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the NFL Championship Game. George Halas holds the team record for coaching the most seasons (40) and having the most career victories (318).
Return specialist Devin Hester set many kick return records during the 2006 season. He holds the franchise record for most return yards. He also set a Super Bowl record by being the first player to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown.
In 2012, Charles Tillman set a record for most forced fumbles in a single game with four.
Recent Season Results
Here are the Bears' results from their last five completed seasons:
| Super Bowl champions (1970–present) | Conference champions | Division champions | Wild Card berth |
As of January 28, 2025
| Season | Team | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason results | Awards | |||
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| Finish | Wins | Losses | Ties | |||||||
| 2021 | 2021 | NFL | NFC | North | 3rd | 6 | 11 | 0 | — | — |
| 2022 | 2022 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 3 | 14 | 0 | — | — |
| 2023 | 2023 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 7 | 10 | 0 | — | — |
| 2024 | 2024 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 5 | 12 | 0 | — | — |
| 2025 | 2025 | NFL | NFC | North | 1st | 11 | 6 | 0 | Won against Green Bay Packers in NFC Wild Card Round.
Lost to Los Angeles Rams in NFC Divisional Round. |
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All-Time Team Leaders
| All-time Bears leaders | |||
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| Leader | Player | Record | Years with Bears |
| Passing | Jay Cutler | 23,443 passing yards | 2009–2016 |
| Rushing | Walter Payton | 16,726 rushing yards | 1975–1987 |
| Receiving | Johnny Morris | 5,059 receiving yards | 1958–1967 |
| Points | Robbie Gould | 1,142 points | 2005–2015 |
| Coaching Wins | George Halas | 318 wins | 1920–1929, 1933–1942 1946–1955, 1958–1967 |
Famous Players and Coaches
Pro Football Hall of Famers
The Bears have more players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame than any other NFL team, with 32 primary members. Founder George Halas, Bronko Nagurski, and Red Grange were among the first players inducted in 1963. Recent Bears inducted include Devin Hester and Steve McMichael in 2024.
Retired Jersey Numbers
The Bears have retired 14 jersey numbers, which is the most in the NFL. This honors players who were incredibly important to the team. The last number retired was Mike Ditka's number 89 in 2013.
100 Greatest Bears List
In 2019, for the team's 100th anniversary, the Chicago Bears announced a list of their Top 100 players. This list was chosen by Hall of Fame writers. It included many famous players and even some who were still playing at the time.
Current Coaching Staff
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Images for kids
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Bears founder George Halas (right) with NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle (early 1980s)
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The 1924 team photo
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1961 Bears offensive line practicing for the Armed Forces Benefit Football Game
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Payton set several franchise and NFL records in rushing during his 13-season career with the Bears.
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Bears Hall of Famer Mike Ditka is the only person in the modern era to win an NFL championship as a player and coach for the Chicago Bears.
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The Bears made one of the biggest trades in team history by acquiring Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler in 2009.
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Roquan Smith, Khalil Mack, DeAndre Houston-Carson, and Akiem Hicks of the Bears (2018)
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The Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
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Map of radio affiliates by tower location, thus WBBM's location in the western suburbs of Chicago
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See also
In Spanish: Chicago Bears para niños
