George Halas (NFL)
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[edit] Biography
George Halas (George Stanley Halas) was born on February 2, 1895 in Chicago, Illinois. After going to high school at Crane Tech (Chicago, IL), Halas attended the University of Illinois. Halas made his professional debut in the APFA in 1920 with the Decatur Staleys. He played in the APFA for 2 years, playing for the Chicago Staleys and Decatur Staleys over the course of his 2 year APFA career.Halas also played in the NFL for 7 years, playing for the Chicago Bears the entire time.
Most people believe that 1922 was George Halas's best year, as he ran back a fumble for a touchdown.
[edit] Papa Bear
George Halas was associated with the Chicago Bears and the National Football League from their inception in 1920 until his death in 1983. He represented the Bears, originally known as the Decatur Staleys, at the NFL’s organizational meeting held in Canton, Ohio. His Chicago Bears teams won six NFL titles, the first coming in 1921 after the Staleys moved to Chicago. George's Bears won three other divisional titles and finished second 15 times. Only six of Halas' 40 teams finished below the .500 mark.
[edit] NFL Marks
- Participated in the organization of the American Football Association, which would later become the NFL
- Only person to be associated with the NFL throughout its first 50 years
- Founder of the Decatur Staleys in 1920 (Renamed the Chicago Bears in 1922)
- Performed as a player, coach, or owner of the Chicago Bears from 1920-83
- Coached the Chicago Bears for 40 seasons
- Voted NFL Coach of the Year Twice (1963,65)
- Won 320 Games as an NFL Head Coach
- Coached the Chicago Bears to a 73-0 win over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Title Game
- Won Six NFL Championships as a Head Coach
- Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963)
