George Halas Award

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The award is named for George Halas, a charter member (1963) of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who was associated with the Chicago Bears and NFL from their inception in 1920 until his death in 1983 as an owner, manager, player and promoter. Halas represented the Bears, then known as the Decatur Staleys, at the Sept. 17, 1920 organizational meeting of the American Football Association in Canton, Ohio. One year later, the AFA became known as the National Football League. Halas’ teams won six NFL titles in his 40 seasons as the Bears’ coach. His 318 regular-season wins and 324 total victories were long-standing NFL records until broken by Don Shula in 1993.

In Their Own Story

In 1970, Gale Sayers received the George Halas Award for his remarkable comeback from knee surgery, which allowed him to lead the NFL in rushing during the 1969 season. During an emotional acceptance speech memorialized in the film 'Brian's Song,' Sayers declared, "You flatter me by giving me this award, but I'll tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo." He continued, stating, "Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas Award. I accept it tonight, but I'll present it to Brian tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo. And I'd like all of you to love him, too. And tonight, when you hit your knees, ask God to love him, too." This moment defined the award's purpose: recognizing courage in the face of tragedy and personal struggle.

Reader's Guide

In 1970, the George Halas Award went to Gale Sayers for his comeback from knee surgery to lead the NFL in rushing in 1969. Sayers gave an emotional speech that was memorialized in the film Brian's Song. Said Sayers, "You flatter me by giving me this award, but I’ll tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas Award. I accept it tonight, but I’ll present it to Brian tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo. And I’d like all of you to love him, too. And tonight, when you hit your knees, ask God to love him, too." Other notable winners of the George Halas Award include Joe Namath, Steeler running back Rocky Bleier, Hall of Fame cornerback Jimmy Johnson, New York Giant cancer survivor Karl Nelson, Hall of Famers Dan Hampton and Joe Montana, Denver Broncos guard Mark Schlereth, former N.Y. Giant Kerry Collins, San Francisco 49ers Garrison Hearst and Bryant Young, coach and former linebacker Sam Mills, Dolphins running back Robert Edwards, linebacker Mark Fields, former head coach Tony Dungy, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and former Saints safety and ALS advocate Steve Gleason.

Did You Know?

• The award is named for George Halas, a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• Halas represented the Bears (then the Decatur Staleys) at the 1920 meeting that founded the American Football Association, later the NFL.
• Gale Sayers won the award in 1970 and dedicated it to Brian Piccolo in a speech memorialized in the film Brian's Song.

Early Life and Military Service

in September 1925 at St. When World War II erupted, Mugs paused his education to join the United States Navy Reserve in 1944, demonstrating early commitment to national service. This academic background provided him with the financial and administrative acumen necessary for his future executive roles. Unlike many heirs who might have relied solely on family name, Mugs built a foundation through formal education and hands-on experience within the organization long before assuming leadership responsibilities.

Executive Leadership and Strategic Vision

Mugs officially joined the Bears' front office in 1950, eventually ascending to treasurer in 1953 and president in 1963. While his father retained final authority on football matters until 1974, Mugs distinguished himself by modernizing operations through external hiring. Under his presidency, the team compiled a record of 105 wins, 131 losses, and six ties, securing a championship in 1963 and multiple playoff appearances despite the era's competitive challenges.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

Beyond the gridiron, Mugs Halas navigated complex personal dynamics. He married Therese in 1963, with whom he had two children, Christine and Stephen. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1975, a settlement that granted Therese custody of the children, their family home, $50,000, and four season tickets to Bears games.

Death and Franchise Legacy

Mugs Halas died suddenly from a heart attack on December 16, 1979, the final day of the regular season. His passing triggered a decades-long legal saga regarding the Bears' ownership. Although George Sr. intended Mugs to inherit the team, his sister Virginia ultimately inherited it upon his death in 1983. This led to bitter litigation between Mugs' heirs and the McCaskey family over stock value and board seats. Therese and her children also filed a wrongful death suit claiming accidental death to trigger double indemnity life insurance clauses, leading to an exhumation where organs were found replaced with sawdust—a standard disposal practice at the time that fueled further legal confusion. Ultimately, the McCaskey family retained full ownership after exercising rights of first refusal, leaving Mugs' children with a fractured relationship to the team they once helped build.