The Bears franchise was founded as the Decatur Staleys in 1920 by A. E. Staley of the Staley Starch Company. He hired George Halas to organize, coach, and play on the team. On September 17, 1920, Halas and representatives from 11 other teams met in Canton, Ohio, and organized the American Professional Football Association, the precursor to the NFL. Halas assumed ownership of the team in 1921 with his co-head coach, Dutch Sternaman. They moved the team to Chicago’s Cubs Park (renamed Wrigley Field in 1926). The club won the new league’s first title in 1921, and a year later Halas and Sternaman renamed the team the Bears. Halas and Sternaman guided the Bears to eight consecutive winning records from 1921 to 1928. Their many stars included running backs Paddy Driscoll and Red Grange. Chicago’s offensive line was anchored by center George Trafton, who knocked four opposing linemen out of commission in the first 12 plays during a 1920 contest. A new era began in 1930 when another star running back, Bronko Nagurski, joined the team. Chicago earned back-to-back NFL titles in 1932 and 1933.

Under Halas, the team strung together an NFL-record 18 consecutive victories from 1933 through 1934. The Bears went undefeated in the 1934 regular season as rookie running back Beattie Feathers became the first player ever to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season. After holding all 13 regular-season opponents to 16 or fewer points, the Bears fell to the New York Giants in the NFL Championship Game, 30-13. From 1939 to 1950 quarterback Sid Luckman directed Chicago to four league crowns. The Bears defeated the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins twice each in championship games. In 1940 the Bears’ new T-formation offense, which depended on the quarterback to call plays and distribute the ball with passes, pitches, and options, demolished Washington 73-0 in what remains the most lopsided championship victory in NFL history. In 1942 Chicago compiled its second undefeated season. Chicago fell out of championship contention from 1951 to 1962, reaching the playoffs in only one season. Buy Chicago Bears Tickets.