Chicago Bears

Lore & Background

Originally named the Decatur Staleys, the club was established by the A. E. Staley food starch company of Decatur, Illinois, as a company team. The team played independently in 1919, winning the Central Illinois Championship. The company hired George Halas and Edward 'Dutch' Sternaman in 1920 to run the team. The 1920 Decatur Staleys season was their inaugural regular season completed in the newly formed American Professional Football Association (AFPA) (later renamed the National Football League (NFL) in 1922).

Full control of the team was turned over to Halas and Sternaman in 1921. Official team and league records cite Halas as the founder as he took over the team in 1920 when it became a charter member of the NFL. The team moved to Chicago in 1921, where the club was renamed the Chicago Staleys; Under an agreement reached by Halas and Sternaman with Staley, they received US$5,000 to keep the name 'Staleys' for the 1921 season. In 1922, Halas changed the team name from the Staleys to the Bears.

The team moved into Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise. As with several early NFL franchises, the Bears derived their nickname from their city's baseball team (bears' young are called 'cubs'). Halas liked the bright orange-and-blue colors of his alma mater, the University of Illinois, and the Bears adopted those colors as their own, albeit in a darker shade of each (the blue is Pantone 5395, navy blue, and the orange is Pantone 1665, similar to burnt orange).

Reader's Guide

The Bears have won nine NFL Championships, eight before the AFL–NFL merger and one Super Bowl. They hold the NFL records for the most enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the most retired jersey numbers. The Bears' NFL championships and overall victories are second behind the Green Bay Packers, with whom they have a long-standing rivalry. The Bears reached their greatest modern period of success in the 1980s under head coach Mike Ditka, with whom they won Super Bowl XX in the 1985 season.

The Bears appeared in their second Super Bowl during the 2006 season, which they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Since 2006, the Bears have struggled to find regular success, going fifteen years in between playoff wins from 2011 to 2026. During that time, the Bears have had 23 different starting quarterbacks and six different head coaches. In September 2025, a sale of a minority stake in the team valued the Bears at $8.9 billion.

Did You Know?

• The Bears' rivalry with the Green Bay Packers dates back to 1921.
• The Bears' 73–0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game is still an NFL record for lopsided results.

Early Life and College Dominance

Born in Philadelphia on January 14, 1999, D'Andre Swift honed his skills at St. Joseph's Preparatory School before committing to the University of Georgia. By his sophomore year, Swift expanded his role significantly, splitting carries with Elijah Holyfield while becoming a vital receiving threat. He demonstrated his versatility in the SEC Championship against Alabama, contributing both on the ground and through the air despite a team loss. His junior season marked a statistical peak, as he recorded five games with over 100 rushing yards and achieved a streak of four consecutive games with a touchdown.

Detroit Lions Tenure and Rookie Breakthrough

His rookie debut was memorable for both triumphs and heartbreak; he scored his first career rushing touchdown but dropped a potential game-winning pass in the final seconds against the Chicago Bears. Despite this early setback, Swift quickly proved his elite capability, becoming the first Lions rookie since Barry Sanders to rush for over 100 yards and score two touchdowns in a single game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Over three seasons with Detroit, he consistently contributed as a versatile weapon, sharing duties with Jamaal Williams. Although he never reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark during his time there, his ability to accumulate significant receiving yards alongside his ground production made him a reliable and dangerous offensive asset for the Lions throughout his tenure.

Philadelphia Eagles Peak and Pro Bowl Recognition

He followed this with another strong showing against Tampa Bay, showcasing his ability to dominate defenses as a primary ball carrier. By the end of the regular season, Swift achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his professional career. This breakout season culminated in his selection to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, marking his first appearance on the league's all-star team and validating his status as one of the NFL's premier running backs following a transformative year in Philadelphia.

Chicago Bears Era and Historic Milestones

Swift signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Chicago Bears in March 2024, bringing his dynamic skill set to the Windy City. After a slow start in his first season, he rebounded strongly to finish with nearly 1,000 rushing yards and six touchdowns. In a landmark Week 13 victory over the Eagles, he and teammate Kyle Monangai became the first Bears duo since Walter Payton and Matt Suhey in 1985 to each record over 100 rushing yards in the same game.