Your Free Chicago Bears History and Records Guide

The Chicago Bears: Origins and Founding Era (1919-1930s)

The Chicago Bears were founded in 1919 as the Decatur Staleys, named after the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company that sponsored the team in Decatur, Illinois. The team moved to Chicago in 1921 and became the Chicago Staleys before adopting the Bears name in 1922. This makes the Bears one of the oldest professional football teams in the United States, predating the NFL itself by a year. The NFL was officially established in 1920, but the Bears joined the league in 1921, making them one of the league's charter members alongside teams like the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants.

During the 1920s and early 1930s, the Bears established themselves as a dominant force in professional football. George Halas, who founded the team and served as player, coach, and owner, led the franchise during this formative period. The Bears won the NFL championship in 1932, 1933, and 1934, establishing a winning tradition that would define the franchise for decades. In the 1932 championship game against the Portsmouth Spartans, the game was moved indoors due to harsh weather, creating what many consider the first playoff game in professional football history.

The roster during these early years featured several notable players who helped build the Bears' reputation. Red Grange, known as "The Galloping Ghost," joined the team in 1925 and became one of the first football celebrities, drawing large crowds wherever the Bears played. Bronko Nagurski, who played for the Bears from 1930 to 1937, was considered one of the greatest football players of his era and brought national attention to professional football. These players and others helped the Bears establish a foundation of excellence that would last generations.

Practical takeaway: Understanding the Bears' early history shows how the franchise was instrumental in building professional football as a legitimate sport in America, rather than just a college-level game.

The Era of Dominance: 1940s Through 1980s

The 1940s marked the beginning of the Bears' most dominant period in franchise history. The team won NFL championships in 1940, 1941, 1943, and 1946, establishing themselves as the most successful franchise in professional football during that era. The 1940 championship team defeated the Washington Redskins 73-0, which remains the most lopsided score in NFL history. This game demonstrated not only the Bears' superior talent but also the growing gap between well-organized professional teams and those that were less developed.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Bears remained competitive despite the NFL expanding and the introduction of the AFL in 1960. However, the team did not win another NFL championship during this period, though they consistently fielded competitive teams. Dick Butkus, who played linebacker for the Bears from 1965 to 1973, became one of the most feared defensive players in football history. His aggressive style of play and leadership on defense made him a cornerstone of the Bears' identity. Gale Sayers, who played running back from 1965 to 1971, was known for his exceptional speed and elusiveness, scoring 56 touchdowns in his first five seasons before knee injuries shortened his career.

The 1970s and early 1980s saw the Bears struggle more frequently, though they still produced talented players and had winning seasons. Walter Payton joined the Bears in 1975 and would become not only the franchise's greatest player but also one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Known as "Sweetness," Payton played 16 seasons for the Bears and established numerous NFL records. He was known for his professionalism, work ethic, and reliability, carrying the ball 16,726 times for 110,960 yards and 110 touchdowns with the Bears. During this period, the Bears began to rebuild their roster and coaching staff in preparation for the success that would come in the mid-1980s.

Practical takeaway: The Bears' record during this era shows how individual players, particularly Walter Payton, can define a franchise's character and maintain fan engagement even during less successful periods.

The Super Bowl XX Championship Season and 1985 Bears

The 1985 Chicago Bears season stands as one of the most dominant seasons in NFL history and represents the franchise's only Super Bowl championship. The team finished the regular season with a 15-1 record, losing only one game to the Miami Dolphins. The Bears' defense was historically exceptional, allowing just 198 points during the entire season and recording 21 sacks from their defensive line. The defensive unit included Hall of Famers Mike Ditka as head coach, and stars like Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, Otis Wilson, and safety Gary Fencik working together to create one of the most feared defenses in football.

The Bears' playoff run that season showcased their dominance. They defeated the New York Giants 21-0 in the divisional round, the Los Angeles Rams 24-0 in the NFC Championship, and then faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX on January 26, 1986. The Bears won 46-10, a victory that demonstrated their overwhelming superiority. William "The Refrigerator" Perry, a defensive tackle who sometimes played running back in short-yardage situations, became a national celebrity and helped the Bears gain mainstream cultural attention. The team also recorded a rap song called "The Super Bowl Shuffle" during the season, which became a popular novelty hit and reflected the team's confidence and charisma.

Walter Payton, then in his final seasons, finally achieved his Super Bowl championship, though he did not score in the game. Jim McMahon, the Bears' quarterback, won the Super Bowl MVP award and proved to be an effective leader of the dominant team, even though he was often injured and somewhat unconventional in his personality. The 1985 Bears' defense set numerous records that still stand today, including allowing the fewest points in a 16-game season. The success of that season brought the franchise national attention and established the Bears as one of the NFL's premier organizations during that era.

Practical takeaway: The 1985 Bears demonstrate how strong defensive football, combined with an effective rushing game and solid quarterback play, can produce dominant seasons and championship results.

Post-1985 Era and Notable Records

After their Super Bowl XX victory, the Bears struggled to maintain their championship level of play, though they remained competitive throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. The team won the NFC Central Division six times between 1985 and 2006, but could not return to the Super Bowl. However, this period produced several notable players and achievements. Jim Harmon, Dan Marino, and other Hall of Famers faced the Bears' defense during this era, and the Bears continued to produce strong defensive players including Mike Singletary, a linebacker who is considered one of the greatest to play the position.

The franchise record for rushing yards in a single season is held by Walter Payton's successor and other running backs, but no Bears running back has since broken his all-time franchise record of 16,726 rushing yards. Jay Cutler, who played quarterback for the Bears from 2009 to 2016, threw for 23,443 yards with the team and led the Bears to the 2010 NFC North Division title. Other notable individual achievements include Khalil Mack, a defensive end who joined the Bears in 2018 and recorded 12.5 sacks in his first season with the team, establishing himself as one of the league's elite pass rushers.

The Bears' playoff appearances in recent decades have been less frequent than during their earlier years. The team made the playoffs in 1994, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, and 2018, but has not won a playoff game since the 1985 season, a streak that extends over 30 years. This drought has made the team's historical success particularly notable, as fans and analysts often compare recent seasons to the excellence of earlier decades. The team has produced consistently strong defensive players, maintaining the Bears' historical identity as a defense-oriented organization, even when their overall record has been less successful than fans desired.

Practical takeaway: Individual player records and seasonal achievements provide concrete measures of performance that show how the Bears maintained competitive football even during less successful periods.

Notable Bears Records and Statistics

The Chicago Bears hold numerous NFL records