"Papa Bear" in Photos

1108

Halas starred for the Great Lakes Naval Academy who won the 1919 Rose Bowl. <p>Note that this photo was salvaged from a fire at the Bears headquarters in the 1960s and hence the fringed edges.

1109

Halas played professional baseball with the New York Yankees.

1110

Halas was an outstanding end for the Decatur Staleys/Chicago Bears during the 1920s. In fact, he was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1920s at that position.

1111

Halas coached the Chicago Bears to 324 victories over his 40-year career as a head coach in the NFL.

1112

Halas at an NFL owners meeting in the early 1930s (seated, second from left).<p>He played significant roles in pro football as a player, coach, and owner.

1113

Halas talks strategy with his assistants, Hunk Anderson and Carl Brumbaugh.

1114

George Halas was the NFL's winningest coach until Don Shula surpassed his win total in 1993.

1115

Halas coached many legendary players including Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne.

1116

Halas coached the Bears in four distinct tenures: 1920-1929, 1933-1942, 1946-1955, and 1958-1967.

1117

Halas coached many "nailbiters" in his career. In all, he compiled a .671 winning percentage.

1118

George Halas, circa 1934. That season the Bears posted an undefeated 13-0 record before falling to the Giants in the NFL Championship Game.

1119

Halas greeted players at the Bears' 1948 training camp. The team finished that year with a 10-2-0 record to finish second in the NFL's Western Division.

1120

Halas oversaw the Bears operations from 1920 through his death in 1983.

1121

Halas and the Bears earned the nickname "Monsters of the Midway" for their domination during the 1940s.

1123

Halas (third from right in back row) was an obvious choice as a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 1963.

1124

Halas delivered his Hall of Fame enshrinement speech on September 7, 1963.

1125

Halas's Hall of Fame mural.

1126

Halas was a frequent visitor to the Hall in Canton. Here, he is shown in 1973 when he celebrated the 10th anniversary of his induction into the Hall.

1128

Two pillars of the NFL -- Commissioner Pete Rozelle and George Halas.

1129

Halas was the only person associated with the NFL throughout its first 50 years.<p>He was in attendance at the NFL's formation meeting in Canton, Ohio on September 17, 1920.

1130

Forever immortalized -- George Halas's bronze bust.