Questions worth running up the flagpole Nov 2, 2007
B. George Halas, the icon of icons to the helmet-wearing crowd, and such a gentle, fair-minded, and dignified gent that he called for a double reverse to score his team's ninth touchdown, then faked the extra point and ran in for a 2-point conversion after the Bears' 10th touchdown to cement a 73-0 squeaker over the Redskins in 1939. C. Lou Holtz, who in 1992 ordered a fake punt in the third quarter to give his team added space in a 54-7 win over Tom Coughlin's Boston College Eagles. (Boston Globe)
Legendary duels fading Nov 1, 2007
The Bears, following a 7-3 Redskins win in the 1940 regular season, poured it on in that epic 73-0 playoff win that showcased George Halas' T-formation. The Browns-Broncos rivalry actually was a rivalry of individuals: Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer and John Elway, the strong-armed Broncos quarterback. (USA Today -- Sports)
Belichick's hidden camera Sep 13, 2007
But in the drive to find any possible edge over an opponent, the league has to draw the line at tactics taken more from James Bond than George Halas. Green Bay Packers officials have identified the Patriots cameraman in Sunday's incident as the same one who was ordered off the sidelines for illegal taping in a Patriots-Packers game in Green Bay last November. (Boston Globe)
Miami's Hudson named to Butkus Award list Aug 30, 2007
Opposing offensive players came to fear the times when the menacing 6'3", 245-pound frame of Dick Butkus came into view, and he played well enough his first season to be named NFL's Rookie of the Year. Mr. Butkus played for the legendary "Poppa Bear," George Halas, early in his career with the Bears. One of the founders of the NFL, Halas must have liked the unsophisticated, hell-bent-for-leather play of Butkus, a style that was prevalent in the early days of the league. It wasn't pretty, but it... (Muredhawks.com)
Diamond Gems - musings on baseball both locally and nationally Aug 25, 2007
Early in baseball history men such as Jim Thorpe, Greasy Neale and George Halas also played both sports professionally. Neale went on to be a Hall of Fame coach in the NFL and Halas became a Hall of Famer as both a coach of the Chicago Bears and owner. (Madison County Record, AL)
Irish Championship Football Coaches Honored With Notre Dame Stadium Gate Display Aug 18, 2007
Rotblatt-Amrany is responsible for the Michael Jordan statue in front of the United Center in Chicago, as well as various statues of sports figures Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Vince Lombardi, Al McGuire and George Halas. The national championship coach display at Gate D is the third of the Notre Dame Stadium gates to be finished, following the Heisman Trophy display at Gate B that opened in 2005 and the All-America display at Gate A that opened in 2006. (Und.com)
Chalk Talk: the Birth of the 4-3 Aug 8, 2007
com Correspondent Jeremy Stoltz discovers that the idea for the modern-day 4-3 came about when looking for a way to defend George Halas' high-powered T-formation ... It was then that Chicago Bears head coach George Halas called upon an old friend, Clark Shaughnessy, to help solve the dilemma of stopping the T an offense the two of them had perfected just ten years before. (BearReport.com)
Davis: high praise for Walsh Aug 2, 2007
"What he represented to professional football, and what stands out there today, is just unparalleled, whether it be George Halas or Paul Brown.". When Walsh was coaching the 49ers, Davis said they had trade talks, and hinted quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young came up in discussions. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
What they're saying: Bill Walsh Aug 1, 2007
He will forever be cemented with the likes of George Halas, Paul Brown and Vince Lombardi as the best ever. " -- Ronnie Lott, Hall of Fame defensive back who played for 49ers from 1981 to 1990 "He and [Al] Davis and Sid Gillman were way ahead of their time when it comes to the passing game. (ESPN -- Football News)
Gridiron glory in Canton Aug 1, 2007
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton: www. profootballhof. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
TOP OF THE LINE Aug 1, 2007
" Walsh's many coaching charges would reap fruit from their head coach, scripting championship teams and developing Pro Bowl players. They, in turn, spread the bounty far and wide. -- Holmgren, whom Walsh hired in 1986 as the quarterbacks coach and eventually became the offensive coordinator, turned out no fewer than five current or former NFL head coaches under his watch in Green Bay and Seattle: Mike Sherman, Andy Reid, Steve Mariucci, Marty Mornhinweg and Brad Childress. -- Green first joined... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Bill Walsh, The Legend Jul 31, 2007
It's what George Halas did, and Curly Lambeau, and Brown (his original mentor), and Vince Lombardi, and Davis, and Chuck Noll, and John Madden, and Tom Landry, and Jimmy Johnson, and Bill Parcells, and Bill Belichick. It's what they all do, and if there is another way to be successful at the football game, it hasn't been tried long enough by anyone of enduring consequence. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
TOP OF THE LINEA legend like Halas, Lombardi Jul 31, 2007
TOP OF THE LINE / A legend like Halas, Lombardi (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Opinion: Walsh father of NFLs modern offense Jul 31, 2007
Because he succeeded so spectacularly, his legacy and influence puts him in the company of football icons George Halas, Paul Brown and Vince Lombardi. Called a "genius" by sincere admirers and jealous rivals alike, Walsh took offensive football to new levels at just the time when NFL rules boosted and encouraged the passing game. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Moore remembers Jul 31, 2007
Which brings us to the Bill Walsh at the height of joining Curly Lambeau, George Halas, Vince Lombardi, Pete Rozelle and Al Davis as the most significant forces in NFL history. That Bill Walsh was pleasantly arrogant and deceptively ruthless. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Innovative coach ‘transcended sports' Jul 31, 2007
If they ever do a Mount Rushmore of NFL coaches, Bill Walsh would surely be up there next to George Halas, Paul Brown and Vince Lombardi. Walsh didn't win as many games as Don Shula of the Miami Dolphins nor did he win as many Super Bowls as Chuck Noll of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but all of football bowed its head Monday when it learned Walsh had died of leukemia. (Globe and Mail -- Sports)
Chalk Talk: the Pro Set Jul 21, 2007
The 1930s coaching trio of George Halas, Ralph Jones, and Clark Shaughnessy disregarded these rugby-like ideals. By 1940, the three coaches had molded the T-formation into a high-powered passing attack. (BearReport.com)
Bears Blitz: Thursday Jul 14, 2007
com, Jeremy Stoltz continues with Part IV of his five-part series "The Evolution of Offense" with a look at George Halas and the T-formation. "Halas chose Jones as his head coach and made Shaughnessy, who was the head coach at the nearby University of Chicago, an advisor to the team. Their constant tweaking of the T-formation, along with a 1933 rule change that allowed passing from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage, turned the long-forgotten formation into an unstoppable force." Read the... (BearReport.com)
Chalk Talk: the A-Formation Jul 9, 2007
com CorrespondentPosted Jul 6, 2007 George Halas is largely credited with inventing the T-formation, which became the standard on offense for quite some time ... Recalls former Giants back Charley Conerly, "The A was a powerful formation up the middle, and fellows like Bill Paschal and Eddie Price won rushing titles going right up the middle. However, it was a little weak going around the end." Because of this, the Chicago Bears and George Halas T-formation beat the Giants and their... (BearReport.com)
Crossman: Concussions create living hell Jun 20, 2007
While with the Bears, Larry Morris played under legendary coach George Halas and alongside Dick Butkus and Mike Ditka. In the 1963 Bears-Giants NFL championship game, Morris, a linebacker, intercepted a Y.A. Tittle pass and returned it 61 yards before being taken down at the 6. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Youth served among coaches May 24, 2007
Don Shula was 33 when he became head coach of the Baltimore Colts, which gave him a chance to surpass George Halas as winningest coach in history. Halas, of course, started as a player-coach with the Chicago Bears as soon as he founded them in 1920 at 25. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Erstad honorary coach for Special Olympians May 16, 2007
That list includes George Halas (1977), Bill Veeck (1979), Ray Meyer (1980), Mike Ditka (1985), Jay Berwanger (1988) and Keith Magnuson (1982), whose son, Kevin, served as the master of ceremonies Tuesday. Other individuals associated with the White Sox holding this position, along with Erstad and Veeck, were Tony La Russa (1984), Mike Huff, Tim Raines and Robin Ventura (1992), and Ventura yet again in 1996. (MLB.com -- Chi White Sox White Sox)
His name? Why, it's Smith . . . no, Jones May 12, 2007
Name: George Halas, who did a little better with the Chicago Bears. Parting shot. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Coin flips Browns' way, so could star Apr 17, 2007
When Ed McCaskey, George Halas' son-in-law who was representing the Bears, lost the flip, Jack Griffin, a Chicago sports writer, called out, You're a bum, McCaskey. After losing the flip, the Bears traded the No. 2 choice in the 1970 selections to Green Bay for three players: running back Elijah Pitts, linebacker Leroy Caffey and center Bob Hyland. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Football socialism Mar 31, 2007
The Mara family of the New York Giants and George Halas of the Chicago Bears realized that it had to be done to give tiny cities like Green Bay a chance to field competitive teams ... Middle America is waiting for its Mara family and George Halas. (Boston Globe)
From Super Bowl to "See ya." Upset over his contract, linebacker Lance Briggs says he's played his last down for the Bears. Mar 14, 2007
SUCK IT UP, LANCE. From John Lees, of Wappingers Falls, N.Y.: "Lance Briggs needs to shut up and play. He is going to be paid over $7 million for one year of playing football. In my company, people who are paid over $100,000 per year are considered 'highly compensated individuals.' If I were a 'highly compensated individual' for 40 years, I would bring down $4 million. Lance is going to almost double that in one year and he is miffed. Cry me a river of crocodile tears. I know other guys are... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NFL)
Phillips, Angelo, Smith on Same Page Mar 3, 2007
The Bears have been fighting a reputation as a tight-pursed franchise since it was founded by George Halas in 1920, and it was reported that Smith was being lowballed. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images. (BearReport.com)
HOFSTETTER: Live ... from my couch! Feb 5, 2007
George Halas, in his grave. 6:52 - Brett Favre making fun of how he cannot retire was almost as good as Kevin Federline making fun of how he cannot afford lunch. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
A super-sized dilemma Feb 4, 2007
Levee s passion for the Bears began when George Halas was their coach. His collection of memorabilia reflects that history, including some Gale Sayers autographed cards and lithographs. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Chicago Parties Like It's 1986 as Once-in-a-Generation Super Bowl Looms Feb 4, 2007
Led by Hall of Fame owner and coach George Halas and nicknamed the ``Monsters of the Midway,'' the Bears became one of the NFL's dominant teams, winning seven championships by 1946. The franchise added an eighth title in 1963. (Bloomberg)
Bears may not always beat you, but they always beat you up Feb 4, 2007
"' This is what Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has to look forward to Sunday, a tradition that current middle linebacker Brian Urlacher has tried to live up to from the day he arrived in a tough town seven seasons ago. It begins with the franchise's gruff founder, George Halas, and runs through guys named Nagurski, Atkins, O'Bradovich, George, Butkus, Ditka, Payton, Hampton and Singletary. It found its perfect expression in a 1985 squad that lost only one game, won a Super Bowl the following... (WWLTV.com, LA)
Armageddon on turf Feb 4, 2007
The Bears, by contrast, are one of the mythical teams in NFL history, a franchise founded by owner/coach George Halas, a man who not only gave birth to the league in the 1920s but played in it. The Bears own more NFL championships (nine) than any other team, and have played continuously in the same stadium since 1971 (before that they played for 50 years at the even more legendary Wrigley Field). (Los Angeles Times)
'Brutal' Colts-Bears game in 1960 left lasting memories Feb 1, 2007
"Coach George Halas offered $500 to anyone on the team who could knock me out of the game," Unitas once told The Sun. Jump to page: 1 Advertisement. (Sunspot.net -- Sports)
Explosive returns make Hester super Feb 1, 2007
30-day news archives. I think whenever you possess those kinds of gifts, you can make something special happen and you can definitely make a difference on your ball club. (Florida Today)
'It was brutal' Feb 1, 2007
"Coach George Halas offered $500 to anyone on the team who could knock me out of the game," Unitas once told The Sun. That November, Chicago (3-2-1) was in the chase and Halas was fixed on defeating the Colts. (SunSpot.net)
Looking To Add To Rich History Jan 31, 2007
" Every member of the organization recognizes the rich tradition of NFL football in the Windy City as Chicago fans clamor for tickets to a balmy matchup against the AFC champion Colts. "First off, we have great fans," Coach Lovie Smith said. "We're talking about George Halas and one of the founding franchises of the National Football League. We have a lot of fans that are excited about the Bears having this opportunity, and it's been a lot of fun. (Tampa Bay Online, FL -- Sports)
Bears defense at center stage Jan 30, 2007
Former Bears head coach Jim Dooley, who helped coach defense under George Halas and defensive coordinator George Allen in the 1963 title game, advocates starting with a nickel defense, which substitutes fifth defensive back Ricky Manning Jr. for linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. "I think it would force them to run a little more on first-and-10," Dooley said. (Sun Herald, MS -- Sports)
We've come a long way from marching bands to the Rolling Stones. So how did the Super Bowl become such an entertainment spectacle? Jan 30, 2007
ESPN.com - NFL/PLAYOFFS06 - Super Bowl evolves into super spectacle. 0) { ES_showBox(); };ES_searchKeyPress( this. (ESPN -- Football)
Greg Cote's Super Bowl and a Smirk Jan 30, 2007
This is a place where I might mention, amid the Lovie Smith/ Tony Dungy-first-black-coaches backdrop, that Bears founder George Halas was among the old-guard owners initially opposed to the NFL integrating. Except I'd feel like the Jesus guy who walks down Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras revelry carrying the ''World Is Ending'' sign. (The Miami Herald)
Arriving for the ride of their lives Jan 29, 2007
Virginia McCaskey, the team's 84-year-old matriarch, could only smile and shake her head when the Tribune's Don Pierson asked last week if her late father, team founder and NFL pioneer George Halas, would believe what the Super Bowl has become. "I don't believe it," McCaskey said, and she has been around for all XLI of them. (FOX59, IN)
Skip the hype and pick the Colts Jan 29, 2007
The historical footage of George Halas and Johnny Unitas. The strength-of-schedule analysis. (Buffalo News -- Sports)
Eli's Cheesecake Rich in Bears History Jan 27, 2007
Eli's Cheesecake, the famous Chicago dessert created by Eli Schulman for his restaurant, Eli's the Place for Steak, has enjoyed a rich history with the Chicago Bears CHICAGO, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Schulman's association with the Bears dates back to the 1940's when the late restaurateur hosted and became close friends with Bears' owner and founder, George Halas. Over the years Halas, his daughter Virginia, and her husband Ed McCaskey (Chairman of the Bears) as well as many Bears' players,... (PR Newswire)
Remembering Hunt's super legacy Jan 26, 2007
Chicago Bears owner-coach George Halas, chairman of the NFL expansion committee, then told him the 12-team NFL had no plans to expand. So he did what any young fellow with a love for football and a personal fortune of $50 million might do. (Boston Globe)
Bears’ owner Virginia McCaskey, Bears get back to Super bowl Jan 26, 2007
Her father, George Halas ... George Halas started it all and I think he ll be around (spiritually) to finish it all ... In 1987, the two children of her late brother George Halas Jr. and his widow sued, claiming they were frozen out of the organization. (West Frankfort Daily American, IL)
Her hope: Keep Halas legacy alive Jan 25, 2007
The only daughter of Bears founder George Halas, Virginia McCaskey, 83, attended her first NFL championship game at 9 in 1932 ... Would George Halas believe it now ... She remembered how the presentation of the George Halas trophy in 1985 took place inside the Bears' locker room. (FOX59, IN)
Gibbs, Tuna run parallel Jan 25, 2007
It ranked right up there with Paul Brown and Buddy Parker in the '50s (if not quite with George Halas and Curly Lambeau in olden times). When Gibbs went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996, few outside of the New York area would have disputed that he was the better coach of the two, despite Parcells' 11-6 edge in head-to-head meetings. (Washington Times, DC)
Wagging Tail in the NFL Jan 24, 2007
McCaskey, the grandson of legendary NFL coach George Halas, earned two varsity letters playing receiver for Carm Cozza and is now headed for his second Super Bowl with the Bears. Wallace, a former Yale halfback, played behind some of the best runners in school history, but he is at the forefront of administration in the National Football League as Executive V.P. and General Council for the St. Louis Rams. (Goyalebulldogs.com)
Message Board Post of the Week Jan 24, 2007
George Halas is a god, and we are part of the backbone of the NFL.. Oh, by the way, we also have the best fans. (BearReport.com)
Bears end Saints' dream season Jan 23, 2007
For now, they can celebrate owning the George Halas trophy that goes to NFC champion, an award named after their founder. It was presented to Halas daughter, Virginia McCaskey, after the game as the Soldier Field fans chanted Super Bowl, Super Bowl. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Bears return to Super Bowl Jan 23, 2007
" They'll trade snow for sand next, and that's fine with them: It's on to Miami for the Bears (15-3), who will face AFC champion Indianapolis on Feb. 4 at Super Bowl XLI. It's the Bears' first Super Bowl appearance since the 1985 season, their last world championship team and to which all Bears teams are compared. "I'll tell you, it doesn't get any better than that," Bears Coach Lovie Smith said after handing the George Halas Trophy to the namesake's oldest child, Virginia Halas McCaskey, the... (Orlando Sentinel -- Sports)
Old-school Bears make the grade Jan 22, 2007
CHICAGO -- Lovie Smith had no reason to change a game plan devised by George Halas in the 1920s, one that worked well enough for the Chicago Bears to win five NFL titles by 1946. Smith did some updating and streamlining, using the run to set up play-action passes, and the Bears took a 39-14 win over the New Orleans Saints yesterday, launching the Bears into the Super Bowl and making Smith the first African-American coach to win a conference championship. (Boston Globe)
Da Bears Are Super Jan 22, 2007
As snowflakes drifted down like glittering confetti, Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, the daughter of Bears founder George Halas, accepted the Halas Trophy with a smile that lit up the field. "This is why we play the game, to get to the Super Bow and win," said Urlacher, who finally gets his chance to do that. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Bears 39, Saints 14 Jan 22, 2007
" The only way to really do that would be by beating Peyton Manning and the Colts, who oddsmakers have made a 7-point favorite. If the Bears can force turnovers - they had four against the Saints - get sacks (three) and stop the running game (56 yards) the way they did Sunday, their 10th NFL title could come with it. For now, they can celebrate owning the George Halas trophy that goes to NFC champion, an award named after their founder. It was presented to Halas' daughter, Virginia McCaskey,... (San Jose Mercury News)
Next stop for Bears: Miami Jan 22, 2007
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher holds the George Halas trophy after the NFC championship football game against the New Orleans Saints. fan shop. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Chicago 'D' brushes off Bush taunts Jan 22, 2007
CHICAGO - Maybe Reggie Bush's taunts fired up the Chicago Bears' defense. One moment, the New Orleans rookie was taunting Brian Urlacher on the way to the end zone. (AZCentral -- Sports)
As far as history, it was a textbook case Jan 22, 2007
And that made the Bears feel all warm and fuzzy because, since the time of Papa Bear George Halas himself, the Bears have been all about power football, leaving all that trickeration stuff to someone else. Running back Thomas Jones was down with the philosophy, gaining 123 yards on 19 carries. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
SUPER BOWL BETTING: Books like looks of Colts Jan 22, 2007
Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher holds up the George Halas Trophy on Sunday after the Bears defeated the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game in Chicago. Photo by Associated Press. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Nevada News)
Bears back in championship form Jan 22, 2007
Last week he said his dream was to present the George Halas Trophy to Halas' daughter, Virginia McCaskey. On the podium at midfield, Smith was able to realize that dream. (Buffalo News -- Sports)
Bears end a 22-year drought, advance with win over Saints Jan 22, 2007
Alex Brandon, Associated PressChicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher holds the George Halas Trophy after Sunday's victory ... Smith and Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, daughter of Bears founder George Halas, accepted the Halas Trophy moments after Grossman tossed the ball deep into the stands after the final kneel-down. (Deseret News)
Mashek: Bears, Grossman feel the heat Jan 21, 2007
He played for George Halas and was as tough as they come. He coached the greatest sports team in Chicago history - sorry, Michael Jordan, nobody could touch those '85 Bears - and became a martyr after being unceremoniously dumped after the 1992 season. (Sun Herald, MS -- Sports)
Galloping Ghost Put Chicago Bears on Map Jan 21, 2007
George Halas signed the headline generating athlete with the Bears for the then unheard of salary of $100,000. "I played my first pro game Thanksgiving Day in 1925. I played eight games in 11 days after that," said Harold Red Grange in a previous interview. (CBS2Chicago.com, IL)
Lovie Close To Fulfilling Plan Jan 21, 2007
" That stage has Dungy and Smith on a collision course for the Super Bowl, though that notion was far from their minds during that dinner meeting two weeks ago. A couple of days after that dinner, Smith watched from the RCA Dome stands as the Colts beat Kansas City. He had that luxury, having secured a first-round bye and homefield advantage with the Bears. Now Smith has his Bears poised for a spot in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1985. "My glass is half full always," Smith said. "So... (Tampa Bay Online, FL -- Sports)
History is both a friend and a foe for Chicago Jan 21, 2007
But Smith is keeping his hopes in perspective, and thinking about the Bears family tree, from owner Virginia McCaskey to her father, Papa Bear George Halas ... "The dream I have had all week is the Chicago Bears being presented with the George Halas Trophy at Soldier Field and for Virginia McCaskey to accept it.". (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Opinion: Belichick model coach Jan 20, 2007
Thats better than any active NFL coach and would put him ahead of George Halas and Don Shula. He finds ways to win even when the Patriots have no business doing so, exploiting mismatches nobody else sees. (MSNBC -- Sports)
The NFL Playoffs: Jan 20, 2007
Its men dress like George Halas, and its women are built like linebackers. To every true Chicagoan, Bears football is more than just a pastime. (Slate)
