Captain George “Papa Bear” Halas — A Sailor’s Story | World War I & World War II
Captain George “Papa Bear” Halas, A Sailor’s Story
Captain George Stanley “Papa Bear” Halas was born on February 2, 1895, in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Crane Technical High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Illinois, where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. During his collegiate years, Halas proved himself as a gifted multi-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball for the Fighting Illini.
With the outbreak of World War I, Halas enlisted in the United States Navy. While stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, he played football for the service team that represented the Navy during wartime athletic competition. In 1919, near the war’s end, the Great Lakes team appeared in the Rose Bowl, which, during the final wartime years, featured military service teams instead of college squads. Halas was named the game's Most Valuable Player, distinguishing himself as one of the finest athletes in military athletics of the era.
Following the war, Halas briefly pursued a professional baseball career. He played in the minor leagues before signing as an outfielder for the New York Yankees, appearing in 12 major league games before an injury ended his baseball aspirations.
Returning to Illinois, Halas accepted a civilian sales position with the A.E. Staley Company in Decatur. He helped organize the company’s football team, serving simultaneously as player, coach, and recruiter, assembling a roster of top athletic talent. Representing Staley at the founding meeting of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), the forerunner of the NFL, Halas helped bring professional football to prominence. After relocating the team to Chicago, the club, then known as the Staleys, captured the 1921 APFA Championship. In 1922, Halas formally renamed the team the Chicago Bears, establishing one of professional sports’ most enduring franchises.
Halas remained deeply involved with the Bears for the rest of his life, playing wide receiver and defensive end in the early years while handling ticket sales, coaching, and front-office leadership. Though he briefly retired as a player in 1930, he soon returned to full-time coaching while also owning and managing the franchise. Over decades of leadership, Halas compiled 324 career coaching victories and guided the Bears to six NFL championships.
When the United States entered World War II, Halas once again answered his country’s call to duty, returning to the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer. He served in the Pacific Theater as Director of Recreation for Navy personnel under Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, helping maintain morale across forward operating bases and fleet deployments.
After the war, Halas returned to the Bears' sideline, resuming coaching and team leadership throughout multiple decades. In 1968, at age 73, he permanently retired from coaching after one of the longest and most successful careers in sports history. He remained involved in the organization’s management until his death.
Captain George “Papa Bear” Halas passed away on October 31, 1983, and is laid to rest at St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery in Niles, Illinois. His life stands at a remarkable crossroads of patriotic service and American sports heritage,a man who served his nation in both wartime sacrifice and peacetime inspiration, shaping professional football into the national institution it remains today.
****** *********************************
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.
In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com
Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com
#TaketheBackRoads
Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and webshop or buying me a cup of coffee!
